Ex-Seattle Mariners prospect called up by Reds for series finale

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinnati Reds placed first baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand on the 10-day injured list Thursday with low back inflammation and recalled infielder Noelvi Marte from Triple-A Louisville ahead of their series finale against the Seattle Mariners.

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Marte, 23, is a former top prospect of the Mariners. He was traded to the Reds alongside shortstop Edwin Arroyo and pitchers Levi Stoudt and Andrew Moore in a blockbuster deal that sent starting pitcher Luis Castillo to Seattle prior to the 2022 trade deadline. Marte was Seattle’s top-ranked prospect at the time of the trade.

Marte debuted for Cincinnati in 2023 and hit .316 with an .822 OPS and three home runs over 35 games, but he was suspended for 80 games before the start of last season for violating the league’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment program. In 66 games during 2024, Marte hit .210 with a .549 OPS and four homers.

The former Mariners prospect was sent down to Triple-A ahead of Tuesday’s series opener before being recalled Thursday. He’s 1 for 6 in at the plate in three MLB games this season.

Marte was not in the Reds’ lineup for the series finale.

Encarnacion-Strand was 1 for 4 with a two-run double during Wednesday’s 5-3 Mariners win.

“We’ve been trying to manage it,” manager Terry Francona said of Encarnacion-Strand’s injury. “It wasn’t getting worse, but it wasn’t getting better. After what he went through last year, just seems like the right thing to do. Get him an epidural. Let it calm down.”

Encarnacion-Strand played in only 29 games last season because of a season-ending right wrist fracture after being hit by a pitch from Michael Lorenzen on April 27 at Texas.

He’s batting .158 this season with two homers and five RBIs in 18 games.

The Reds have options at first base. Jeimer Candelario started at first in Thursday’s series finale against the Mariners. Spencer Steer, who’s been limited to designated hitter duty with a shoulder issue, threw again on Thursday and is close to returning. Francona said utility man Santiago Espinal can also play first.

The Seattle Sports staff contributed to this report. 

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