The Cincinnati Reds announced the return of outfielder Jake Fraley, activating him from the 10-day injured list on Saturday.
In a corresponding move, the Reds optioned infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand to Triple-A Louisville.
Fraley, 30, has dealt with multiple injuries, costing him 48 games thus far this season. His most recent setback — a partial tear in his right labrum — was sustained June 23 against the New York Yankees and sent him to the IL but the veteran declined shoulder surgery, reportedly receiving a cortisone shot in an attempt to play through the injury for the remainder of the season.
A seven-year veteran of the Seattle Mariners (2019-21) and Reds (2022-present), Fraley is a career .246 hitter, but he’s batting just .224 this season with 28 strikeouts, 17 RBIs and five home runs.
In 36 games, Encarnacion-Strand, 25, is batting .208 with six home runs, 19 RBIs and 32 strikeouts in 2025, a significant dip from his impressive rookie debut season in 2023, when he batted .270 with 37 RBIs and 13 home runs.
Like Fraley, Encarnacion-Strand has battled some injuries, missing most of 2024 with a wrist fracture and the early part of 2025 with back issues.