The Orioles recalled infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand from Triple-A and placed Blaze Alexander on the 10-day injured list.
In Sunday’s final game of the first half, the Baltimore Orioles saw one of their hottest hitters, Blaze Alexander, take a brutal blow on a hit-by-pitch that fractured his left hand.
Alexander, a utility man, had taken over the hot corner over the last month and thrived at the position, hitting .374 over the course of his last 30 games. It is no secret that Baltimore will have their hands full with covering his production in the order and at the hot corner.
In the meantime, Baltimore will do what they can to fulfill his presence at the position. On Thursday, the Orioles recalled Christian Encarnacion-Strand from Triple-A Norfolk ahead of their series on the road against the Houston Astros, placing Alexander on the 10-day injured list.
Encarnacion-Strand, who plays both corners of the infield, will see his first opportunity with the Orioles after thriving at the plate in Triple-A this season. In 61 games this season with Triple-A Norfolk, Encarnacion-Strand has shown off his power, hitting 17 home runs to go with 48 RBI.
After spending parts of three seasons with the Cincinnati Reds, Encarnacion-Strand was traded to the Orioles on April 13 in exchange for cash considerations, just five days after he was designated for assignment.
Though his big-league stints were brief, there were some flashes of hot offensive production from the former No. 7 prospect in the Reds’ farm system in 2023.
The 26-year old infielder stood out in his first season in 2023, when he slugged 13 homers and knocked in 37 RBI in only 63 games. However, he struggled over the next two years, hitting just eight homers with a low batting average in 65 combined game appearances.
Encarnacion-Strand’s recent hot stretch gives the Orioles hope that he can translate the production where they need it most. He has spent most of his time at third base, starting 43 games there, but also started nine games at first base.
At the hot corner, Encarnacion-Strand can assume to share time with Coby Mayo at the position. Mayo will likely see most time against left-handed pitchers, as he owns a 1.092 OPS against them this season, but has struggled mightily against right-handers.
Conversely, Encarnacion-Strand has been fairly dominant against both righties and lefties this season. Against right-handers, he hit 15 homers and owned an .858 OPS in his 71 games played in the minor leagues this year.
Baltimore will take the chance on the infielder to contribute at the big league level in the wake of Alexander’s injury, with hopes that Encarnacion-Strand can translate his offensive stride back into the major league level.
