The Cincinnati Reds have made a trio of roster moves this morning. The team has placed catcher Jose Trevino on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to April 5th with thoracic spine strain. Cincinnati called up P.J. Higgins from Triple-A to take his place as the backup catcher to Tyler Stephenson. Higgins also had to be added to the 40-man roster, which meant the club had to clear a spot on the roster and to do so they designated corner infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand for assignment.
If you have never heard of a thoracic spine strain you likely aren’t alone. Some quick internet sleuthing suggests it’s essentially a pulled muscle in your upper back. How long that type of injury will take for Jose Trevino to recover from is not entirely clear.
P.J. Higgins has played in 83 games as a big leaguer. Those games came back in 2021 and 2022 with the Chicago Cubs. He hit .210/.291/.348 in those two years while splitting time at first base and catcher, while getting 25 innings at third base. For the last three years he’s been with the Reds in Triple-A. In his two plus seasons with Louisville he’s hit .249/.314/.365 with 48 doubles, a triple, 18 home runs, 80 walks, and 218 strikeouts in 897 plate appearances spread out over 250 games played. This season he’s gone 1-12 with the Bats while walking twice as often as he’s struck out (six walks, three strikeouts).
In the spring, P.J. Higgins name was being talked about a lot in some circles. The reason for that was because he’s been better than anyone else in the minor leagues when it comes to utilizing the ABS system and as the system was coming to MLB for the first time in the regular season he was a hot topic for a bit of time. Now he’ll be back in the big leagues for the first time in several years and may get a chance to show off his very particular skillset of knowing the strikezone.
For Christian Encarnacion-Strand, his time on the Reds 40-man roster is now over. We’ll have to wait and see if he clears waivers or is potentially traded if a team wants to add him but doesn’t believe he’d get to them in the waiver priority.
When first called up in 2023 after being acquired in a trade from the Minnesota Twins a year earlier in the deal that also brought Spencer Steer to Cincinnati, Encarnacion-Strand hit well. He played in 63 games and hit .270/.328/.477 with 13 home runs. But since then he’s struggled in a big way to do any sort of hitting for the Reds. In both 2024 and 2025 he had under 140 plate appearances. He has hit .199/.227/.337 in the 65 games since the start of 2024 and that’s come with just seven walks in 260 plate appearances while he’s struck out 67 times during that stretch.
Things had gone better than that in Triple-A but it was never as good as he had performed before he was called up. In 2025 he hit .245/.310/.493. with Louisville in 62 games while drawing 17 walks and striking out 62 times. This year he played in 10 games, hitting .222/.275/.472. When he made contact he made it count as he had a double, triple, and two home runs – accounting for half of his eight hits on the season in his 36 at-bats.
Good luck, CES. I hope he finds greener pastures. Preferably in the AL 🙂
Heck, the way he has hit I hope he goes to Milwaukee.
I fear that with that Milwaukee hitting coach, they’d turn him into a monster like what happened to Edwin Encarnacion in Toronto.
Definitely in AL!!
CES has prodigious power, but cannot recognize pitches. When he guesses right, the pitch can hit the building behind the Green Monster. When he doesn’t, which is far more common, he makes weak contact on an out of the zone pitch, or walks back to the dugout.
Pitch recognition is largely not a learned skill, it’s a talent. And he does not possess it.
So the Mahle deal comes down to a productive MLB regular, Steer; an important bench piece, Benson; and a brief excellent spell from CES. With Mahle’s injury, the Reds clearly won the deal with the Twins, though Mahle rebounded well last season, but at a fairly steep cost.
Yes, Reds won the trade. CES was a lottery ticket that won’t be cashed. But that’s the type of prospect you want added in a trade like that, high risk, high reward.
Steer with career 4.7 bWAR so far. Mahle had 0.7 bWAR with the Twins until free agency.
Benson came from Cleveland?
I believe they are saying that Hajjar was flipped from the Mahle trade to Cleveland to acquire Benson:
August 2, 2022: Christian Encarnacion-Strand traded by the Minnesota Twins with Steve Hajjar (minors) and Spencer Steer to the Cincinnati Reds for Tyler Mahle.
February 8, 2023: Will Benson traded by the Cleveland Guardians to the Cincinnati Reds for a player to be named later, Justin Boyd (minors) and cash. The Cincinnati Reds sent Steve Hajjar (minors) (March 26, 2023) to the Cleveland Guardians to complete the trade.
Yes – Hajjar sent to Cleveland, along with Boyd, for Benson – seems they are both out of baseball – no entries in BRef for 2025 season.
I wish nothing but the best for CES.
Hopefully Higgins can take advantage of this opportunity.
The Reds need power in the outfield. Do you think this trade could get it done
Reds: James Wood
Nats: Steele Hall, Rhett Lowder, Hector Rodriguez
I think that’s close-ish but I’m not sure either team does that at this point in the season.
In general, I think it’s very unlikely Wood gets moved.
Washington is not looking to trade a 23-year old who hit 31 homers next year, and still not arbitration-eligible until after 2027, and the Reds are looking to trade Hall, Lowder or Rodriguez. If the Reds believe they need another outfield bat, they will promote Hinds or Bleday.
People underestimate the pitching gamut that the Reds have gone through so far. They lost one game to the NL Cy Young winner, and another to the AL Cy Young runner-up. Other than that, they are 8-1, having won games started by Sonny Gray, Sandy Alcantara (2022 CYA winner), Jack Leiter, Bubba Chandler and MacKenzie Gore.
It’s been a grind. The easiest matchups so far have been what, Rocker and Chandler? Even those raw talented guys are no fun. And you could still say we’ve been lucky – dodged deGrom and Eovaldi in Texas… finally a bit of a break this weekend.
Wood is from Rockville, Maryland. He’s Natitude for life. We’ll have an easier time trading for the Washington monument.
@OK. I think that would be a serious overpay for James Wood , who is a player I like a lot , even with all the whiffs. Lowder is too valuable and Steele Hall we need to see what his potential is. Hector the hit collector could be a diamond in the rough.
*underpay
fixed it for you.
This would be par for course move for Reds. They build everything around pitching and defense. As it starts becoming a successul they change direction and start by trading a important part of their pitching , prsent and future, defense , future, and theie future contact hitting for present power hitting. A few years ago they changed direction mid stream and put out their money for Moustakis, Castleanos, Akiyama, etc. Ended up setting the plan back another 5-years. I hope they stay the course and don’t jump off a bridge.
Good luck to CES.
Looking at the Reds organizational situation at the infield corners and DH, this move makes sense for both the Reds and CES. He will probably be traded ahead of waivers, and it is even more likely that he would not clear waivers if not traded. Thus, he will get a new chance with a clean slate in another organization.
Nobody complained about his chase rate when he put up a 117 OPS+ with the Reds over 241 PAs in late 2023. I beleive his hand/ wrist injury in early 2024 is what has changed his career trajectory. He would not be the first guy to have this happen. Just ask Austin Kearns among others.
I could see where the Rockies would be interested in him, although they may wait to see if they can get him as a free agent rather than a trade.
I think CES has struggled recovering from injuries and an eyesight issue, and he probably needs a change of scenery. Seems like a good guy, and I hope he lands somewhere.
I don’t believe CES has the right to refuse an outright assignment. The only way he can become a free agent is if the Reds release him. There are a couple of ways events could come to that point, but in all of them, he will have to clear waivers prior to being a free agent.
Gotta think CES is probably gone, right? I would be very surprised if someone didn’t claim him.
With Sal, Arroyo, and even Balcazar looking strong and Hayes under contract for a few seasons, CES really had nowhere to play. I still find it somewhat interesting that they kept Nicolas over CES, but it does look like he might have an easier route to contributing this year.
Kind of a bummer to see this but this feels like a year where maybe some tough roster decisions might be made, and this is just the first.
Tough roster decisions is a good problem to have. In effect, Toglia replaces him on the depth chart and the prospect chart. In order of probability I’d expect – 50% chance a trade for a lottery pick/ACL pitcher/cash-considerations; 40% passed thru and claimed by another team; 10% passed thru and retained off the 40-man.
“Tough roster decisions is a good problem to have.”
Agree 1000% even if/ when I don’t agree on who gets moved.
So why hasn’t Hinds played for Louisville yesterday or today? Another roster move coming?
Tending to a family matter.
A new location for CES could do him a world of good. His numbers in AAA this year weren’t very good while striking out 35% of the time. Still a ton of talent there though.
I was hoping for Hinds call up today. He’s not in the Bats lineup again after being the International Player Of The Week.
I googled around and could not come up with anything further on Hinds.
He was listed as available on the Gameday box score yesterday. He is also listed today, but then so is CES who definitely is not, so……
Doug wrote this on the other site:
“Pre-game radio broadcast for Louisville, Nick Curran mentioned that Rece Hinds is out of the lineup as he deals with a “personal family situation”. Just figured I’d drop that info in here real quick.”
Thanks. Just saw that.
You bet, Melvin!
I was very, very wrong on CES. I would’ve bet money that he would develop into an awesome hitter.
And he still may develop into a good MB hitter since he is 25. He would just be blocked several ways with the Reds, both now and in the future given guys coming up the pipeline.
Don’t have time to look it up, but Brent Rooker was a late bloomer. Whitfield on KC…wasn’t that his name? He was also a late bloomer with some really big years.
Can’t disagree with it though. CES has been hurt alot and isn’t really tearing up AAA
You’d think the above article would point out his injuries. I mean, that’s the reason for a lot of struggles with players but nowhere is it mentioned. Odd…
Agreed. Many late bloomers. Rooker is my go-to example.
Justin Turner is my example, though Rooker was 2 years older when he arrived. CES, like Dunn, has had a series of flukish issues. Dunn looks to be overcoming them from about mid-season last year, and we may yet see him in MLB sooner rather than not. Hope CES does the same wherever he lands.
My go-to examples of late bloomers are the two Toronto sluggers from last generations: Jose Bautista and our very own Edwin Encarnacion.
I fear CES might become another example.
The injuries in Spring 24 and 25 just as the season opened seemed to leave CES a little snakebit, didn’t they? They came at important junctures in terms of his career, trying to seize an opportunity, and especially with the weight loss and conditioning he’d accomplished coming into last year. He sure isn’t the first. I do think getting glasses for his vision issues may help — couldn’t help but notice how much he was squinting while at bat. It’s reported he has astigmatism, which is the type of thing that makes headlights coming at you in the car go from crisp and defined to fuzzy. But, again, that could take a bit of time to work in. And with Stewart above and Collier below, he was out of time. The Toglia acquisition signaled that.
Had limited time today. I know that it would be nice if the only thing I ever did was write about baseball, but life has a way of leaving one with other responsibilities that they’ve got to take care of. Had those moves been announced 10 minutes later I still wouldn’t have published anything because I wouldn’t have had time to finish even what I did write. Figured publishing what I did was better than publishing something at 7pm.
Jason do you just get on all of the writers or something? Did they turn down your resume?
Whit Merrifield was 27 his rookie year. Played through his age 35 season.
Doug reported on the minor league site that Hinds is away dealing with a personal family matter.
I cannot find this on RML or Patreon – where did you see this? Or is it in a comment Doug made somewhere?
nvm – found it in the comments. Agree with the note hoping it’s not serious and quickly resolved.
Thank You. I started there, but got sidetracked to come here when I saw the CES news in the process.
I missed that. Life happens. At least he’s not injured.
Best of wishes to Encarnacion-Strand. I hope he lands somewhere with an opportunity for him to get back to the big leagues if he’s able to find his stroke again.
Swing and a miss.
Swing & a miss
Lol that made me laugh & perfect !
He may go to new team & do some damage ,but not seeing it , but who knows
Thanks gor the laugh , lol
For*
Bring up Hines. Send Marte down to get his hitting right. It is a move good for the team most importantly, but also both players.
I think another team takes a flyer in CES, especially because he has 2 options remaining. He’ll probably end up on a PCL or IL team working his way back to MLB.
Never forget that the guy with a similar name, Edwin Encarnacion, was traded to the Blue Jays by the Reds in the Rolen deal and bounced a couple of more times before ending up back with the Blue Jays and went on to have a 35+ bWAR career.
Yeah, Edwin Encarnacion left Cincy with 71 HR and ended his career with 424 HR and a 123 OPS+.
Also, Paul Konerko left Cincy with 7 HR and ended his career with 439 HR and a 118 OPS+.
I think the Konerko deal (to get Mike Cameron) was probably an easy thing to see as a mistake. Konerko was a top prospect for the Dodgers, and they traded him to get a relief pitcher (Scott Sanders?) from the Reds. They had to choose between Konerko and Sean Casey. Casey is a super personable guy but….they chose poorly.
Mike Cameron was a valuable CF for the Reds in 1999, and a good player, who went to the Mariners for Ken Griffey Jr. but not Paul Konerko.
July 4, 1998: Paul Konerko traded by the Los Angeles Dodgers with Dennys Reyes to the Cincinnati Reds for Jeff Shaw.
This doesn’t change anything. Catchers don’t hit as much these days. Call up Hinds and send Marte down. That MIGHT matter, but likely wouldn’t be worse than break even.
We’ve seen in the past what Marte is capable of. Thought he played well last night, beating out an infield hit, stealing second and advancing to third on a bad throw. Believe his ceiling is higher than Benson’s and he’s so young (22?). Would like to see him get an extended look before sending him down based on a handful of ABs. Play him against righties for sure.
Marte will be 25 in October. Thats the problem w/the Reds and developing guys. They come up and thats their best production for many of them. The league adjusts and our kid/hitting coaches don’t
I would have taken my chances with DFA of Maxwell or Mey
CES will figure it out. He did not get a long enough leash and injuries left him odd man out.
Hope this does not come back to haunt us.
Reminds me of the Edwin Encarnacion trade. Nobody knew what he could be including the Blue Jays and A’s until they figured out this dude can DH and mash HR’s
Counter point: He could also be another Jose Barrero.
They will regret this move. Hopefully Steer is next
Toglia has a more credible body of work than CES, so it makes sense to clear that logjam at 1B. MT popped 25 homers two seasons ago with a 2.1 WAR and has an .867 OPS so far this year. He’s just 27 and was a 1st rounder. Like CES he has some swing and miss in his game but his splits are even.
This is a sad day but it’s been coming for a while. CES is so talented and so cursed, and he seems unlikely to get the swing decisions in order anytime soon. He’s thoroughly blocked here. A fresh start can’t hurt.
The Edwin Encarnacion parallels don’t scare me (despite the same name and roughly similar personalities?) mostly because CES has so much farther to go. Edwin had three full seasons in Cincinnati as a league-average-or-better hitter. CES has one half-season, his rookie year in 2023 before the book was out, and since then he’s been a near-automatic out. Edwin was an established MLB hitter. His problem was defense. He simply could not throw. Letting him focus on hitting helped him find another gear, but he would’ve been useful as a DH even at his usual 105 wRC+ instead of 150. It’s largely forgotten now that the Blue Jays took two years to figure that out themselves – they ran Edwin at 3B his first two seasons there, replacing a much better fielder in Scott Rolen, letting him be a whipping boy for the fans. It went so well they DFA’d him midseason in 2010 and waived him that winter. Oakland claimed Edwin, only to non-tender him and let Toronto bring him back…
Late bloomers. I wish Christian all the best. He’ll always have that walkoff against those Jays.
The season isn’t even 2 weeks long yet. The Reds aren’t sending any body down until guys have had enough at bats to justify a send down. We go through this every year. Tito stated last year that he wants guys to get enough at bats before decisions are made. If people had their way they would be sending guys out for going 0-4.
Yep – May 15 at the earliest, perhaps by Memorial Day if there’s a brief IL stint for someone. Certainly around July 1st – someone will be struggling mightily, and one of the AAA players will still be producing very well.
I agree with this, but I also think the point others have made about the September schedule are very valid. You can’t just throw games away in April or May, because there’s a pretty big uphill battle in September. So they’re going to get ABs, but the leash is probably going to be a bit shorter than maybe in the past because we simply can’t afford a slow start.
Either way, I think this won’t be the last surprise DFA we see this year. There are too many guys at AAA who need a shot to settle for poor offensive performance.
Marte had 14 plate appearances going into last night. He beat out an infield single and stole a base. At one stretch last year he was arguably the Reds best hitter for a few weeks. No idea how this plays out but every year folks say spring training doesnt matter and cant judge early stats till Memorial Day, but then spring training proclamations come out on March 10 and send them to AAA 8 games into season start.
Remember when Andrew Abbott stunk in spring training and shouldn’t be the OD starter? The guy just gives Reds chances to win when he toes the rubber and has faced Garret Crochet, Paul Skenes, and Alcantara.
Crochet, Skenes and Alcantara…..bums. Trade Abbott for a bag of baseballs! 🙂
Of course, Abbott hasn’t been at the top of his game yet, in my own humble opinion. The guy is a bulldog, and just goes out and takes his turn. He WAS lousy in Spring Training, which made at least me (in my own humble opinion) wonder if there was something wrong. Maybe it was just the dry air, etc., that bothered him with his grip and throwing his curve. Florida in March is a lot more like Cincinnati than Arizona is.
Another minority opinion. I thought that they would be in Plant City forever. Strawberries!!!!
Its 2-3 years running for some of our guys though. Steer hasn’t hit well since 2023.
Friedl has slowed down. Do you want to beat LA or just stay in wildcard contention to football season? You need above average players to be an above average team.
Steer had a .663 ops on the road last season. 390 hitters in MLB and I bet atleast 100 could hit 20 HRs a season if they played full-time in Gabp. Steer is nothing special and struggles to be average. He’s also not an OFer
Sad to see CES go. Maybe he will follow the trajectory of the other Encarnacion the Reds let go. Time will tell.
So does Hampson play 3b in Louisville?
Haha Clammy. Good question
Ivan Johnson did today. I’d guess you’d also see Michael Chavis and Francisco Urbaez over there as well.
Shortstop
Who’s on first? Third base!
He didn’t play today.
That was supposed to be a reply to clammy. I was hoping CES would be the second coming of Tony Perez. Oh well baseball is hard. Go Reds
Surprised no one mentioned Christian Walker. Believe we had him on a waiver claim before Arizona picked him up
CES had 469 major league at bats and is 25 years old.I am glad the Reds released him and I hope another team gives him a chance.He will never walk and will always strikeout but when he hits it well it goes a long way.best of luck to him.
Injuries, 260 bad plate appearances, and the veteran presence of Candelario,Hayes, and Suarez. Kind of a sad set of circumstances.