Slumping Reds add another top prospect, infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand #Slumping #Reds #add #top #prospect #infielder #Christian #EncarnacionStrand

CINCINNATI (AP) — Hoping to spark a struggling offense, the slumping Cincinnati Reds promoted another top prospect on Monday and inserted Christian Encarnacion-Strand into the starting lineup against San Francisco for his major league debut.

The 23-year-old infielder was batting seventh as the designated hitter. He was among four rookies in the Reds starting lineup, joining third baseman Elly De La Cruz, shortstop Matt McLain and pitcher Brandon Williamson.

“It means a lot,” Encarnacion-Strand said. “Now I get to play with a really, really good group of guys. The guys have been always welcoming. The same thing in spring training, the were super, super nice to me. I don’t feel pressure or anxiety to go in there with them.”

St. Louis Cardinals' Andrew Knizner rounds first on his way to a two-run double during the fifth inning in the first game of a baseball doubleheader against the New York Yankees Saturday, July 1, 2023, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Catcher Andrew Knizner was activated from the 10-day injured list by the St. Louis Cardinals, who optioned first baseman Luken Baker to Memphis and returned right-hander James Naile to the Triple-A farm team.

Minnesota Twins third baseman Jose Miranda waits for a pitch to the Baltimore Orioles in the second inning of a baseball game, Sunday, July 2, 2023, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Third baseman José Miranda was put on the 10-day injured list by the Minnesota Twins because of a right shoulder impingement and top prospect Matt Wallner was recalled from Triple-A St.

Los Angeles Angels' Anthony Rendon pours water over his head prior to a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels Sunday, July 2, 2023, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The slumping Los Angeles Angels have placed third baseman Anthony Rendon, outfielder Jo Adell and rookie right-hander Sam Bachman on the injured list.

American League's Yandy Díaz, of the Tampa Bay Rays, runs to the dugout in the fifth inning of the the MLB All-Star baseball game in Seattle, Tuesday, July 11, 2023. The National League defeated the American League 3-2. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

All-Star Yandy Díaz has been placed on the paternity list by the Tampa Bay Rays, who expect the first baseman to miss at least one game of this weekend’s series at Kansas City.

A native of Walnut Creek, California, Encarnacion-Strand hit .331 with 21 doubles, 20 homers and 62 RBIs with a 1.042 OPS in 67 games this year for Triple-A Louisville. He led the International League with 177 total bases.

“He’s played well,” Reds general manager Nick Krall said “He deserved a shot with Kevin on the injured list. “It was the perfect time to bring him up. “He made adjustments over the last couple of months. He is taking better at bats. With that he’s still shown power. … He has been able to hit outside of the zone but cutting down his chase rate brought the zone more to him. It allowed him to get better at the Triple A level.”

Infielder Kevin Newman was placed on the 10-day injured list with gastritis, a move retroactive to Friday.

Cincinnati entered Monday with a four-game losing streak after getting swept in a three-game series at Milwaukee. The Reds were shut out in three straight games before Sunday’s 4-3 loss.

Encarnacion-Strand was Minnesota’s fourth-round pick in the 2021 amateur draft. He was acquired last August with infielder/outfielder Spencer Steer and left-hander Steve Hajjar for right-hander Tyler Mahle.