The Reds announced that infielders Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Matt McClain have returned from the 60-day disabled list. To make room for those two on the 40-man roster, they selected left-hander Brandon Leibrandt and infielder Amed Rosario. Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports that McClain and Encarnacion-Strand are technically on rehab assignments in the Arizona Fall League, and have reached their max rehab time, thus making them eligible for a spot on the 40-man roster. I told X that this transfer was necessary because I needed to get my husband back.
The Reds suffered a number of serious injuries in 2024, with McClain and Encarnacion-Strand being two of the biggest. McClain underwent surgery on his left labrum in March and had hoped to return around August. However, while trying to make a comeback, he developed a stress reaction in his ribcage and was forced to miss the entire season.
Encarnacion-Strand appeared in 29 games, but he may have been playing hurt, as he slashed a dismal .190/.220/.293 during that time. He was hit by a pitch in the hand in April, and X-rays revealed an old fracture, but CES couldn’t figure out how he suffered. He was admitted to the IL in May with a right ulnar styloid fracture and ultimately underwent surgery in June. The surgery had a three-month schedule and would not allow him to return for the remainder of the regular season.
Both players missed significant minutes in 2024, but seemed to be getting healthy as the season drew to a close, so the Reds brought both players to the Arizona fall season for a few practices before the start of winter. He was sent to the league’s Glendale Desert Dogs. The Dogs played their first game in October. For position players, the 8-day plus rehabilitation allotment is up to 20 days. MLB appears to view their time in the AFL as a rehab assignment, and today the rehab period closed and they had to return from the 60-day IL.
The move is primarily technical, as both players need to return quickly from injury. There will be no injured list until spring training begins, five days after the World Series, so all players on the 60-day IL will be required to return immediately anyway. Due to this official rehabilitation process, the Reds were able to complete his rehabilitation process slightly ahead of schedule.
Of the two players who clashed, Rosario was scheduled to be taken off the roster immediately anyway. He signed a one-year contract with the Rays through 2024, was eventually traded to the Dodgers, and then was placed on waivers by the Reds. There is no reason for any club to sign him now that 28 out of 30 clubs have been eliminated. Since it is after the September 1st deadline, he will not be eligible to play in the postseason with the Yankees or Dodgers. As a veteran with more than six years of service, he has the right to refuse full commission. He is set to become a free agent soon, a few days earlier than expected.
Leibrandt, 32 years old as of December, could have stayed on next year since his term is less than a year old, but that apparently wasn’t part of Cincinnati’s plans. He signed a minor league contract with the club in May and was added to the roster at the end of August. He remained on the 40-man roster for the final month of the season, mostly on optional duty. He only appeared in two major league games this year, pitching 6 1/3 innings and allowing seven earned runs.
He played quite well in the minors this year, starting 17 games in Triple-A and posting a 4.41 ERA. His strikeout rate was 22.7%, and his walk rate was 6%. However, he pitched in an independent league last year and early in 2024. As a journeyman approaching his mid-30s, he was certainly seen as a stop-gap option as the club was plagued by a number of injuries while pitching this year.
As a player with a complete career past, he has the right to choose free agency rather than accept another full assignment. He will likely clear waivers and return to the open market soon, as most clubs will be facing a player shortage in the coming days.
