Injuries & Moves: Ford elects free agency
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May 31: INF Mike Ford elects free agency
After Ford was designated for assignment by the Reds on Wednesday to make room for TJ Friedl on the active roster, the first baseman has elected to become a free agent instead of accepting an outright assignment to Triple-A Louisville. Ford signed a $1.3 million contract with Cincinnati on May 8, but he struggled to get going at the plate during his short time with the team. He hit just .150 with one home run and four RBIs across 17 games.
10-DAY/15-DAY IL
RHP Emilio Pagán (right triceps soreness)
Expected return: TBD
Pagán resumed playing catch on May 27 for the first time since he went on the IL May 23. He was pitching vs. the Dodgers on May 19 when he felt something in his triceps with two outs in the ninth and exited the game in the middle of an at-bat. A timetable for a return was not immediately known. (Last updated: May 27)
1B Christian Encarnacion-Strand (right hand fracture)
Expected return: June
Encarnacion-Strand, who was diagnosed with a right ulnar styloid fracture on the inside of his hand near his wrist on May 8, was on the field May 22 doing some fielding work. His right hand remained in a protective cast while he fielded solely with his left glove hand. Upon the initial diagnoses, he was expected to miss four to six weeks. (Last updated: May 22)
LHP Justin Wilson (left shoulder tightness)
Estimated return: TBD
Wilson reported left shoulder soreness after facing one batter on May 16 vs. the Dodgers. He underwent an MRI on May 17, with the results not yet known. (Last updated: May 17)
SS Edwin Arroyo (left shoulder surgery)
Estimated return: 2025
Arroyo, who is ranked by MLB Pipeline as Cincinnati’s No. 3 prospect and No. 55 overall, is out for the season after having surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder during Spring Training. In a March 13 Cactus League game vs. the Giants, the 20-year-old was injured diving back to first base during a pick-off throw. (Last updated: May 17)
60-DAY IL
LHP Brandon Williamson (left shoulder strain)
Expected return: Late May
On May 28 for Triple-A Louisville, Williamson pitched three scoreless innings with two walks and one strikeout against Toledo. In three rehabilitation assignment starts, the lefty has a 0.93 ERA with one earned run allowed over 9 2/3 innings. (Last updated: May 29)
2B Matt McLain (left shoulder surgery)
Expected return: Possibly second half
Six weeks removed from shoulder surgery, McLain was cleared to resume throwing and running. He might be able to start swinging a bat in an additional six weeks, which he said would help determine a clearer timeline for his rehab. Both McLain and manager David Bell reaffirmed that the goal is for McLain to return this season. (Last updated: May 10)
RHP Ian Gibaut (right forearm strain)
Expected return: Later in 2024
Gibaut, who was transferred to the 60-day IL on May 7, underwent surgery on May 9 to relieve a compression in a forearm nerve -- called the Anterior Interosseous Nerve or AIN -- and although there were no immediate specifics, he was expected to require an extended recovery time. However, manager David Bell noted that Gibaut was expected to be able to pitch at some point this season. The club officially halted Gibaut’s rehab assignment for a second time after he reported feeling discomfort in his right forearm during his April 26 appearance with Triple-A Louisville. (Last updated: May 9)
RHP Tejay Antone (right elbow surgery)
Expected return: 2025
Antone was moved to the 60-day IL on April 19 after he had right elbow and arm surgery on April 12 that repaired tears in his ulnar collateral ligament and flexor mass tendon. It was performed in Cincinnati by team orthopedic surgeon Dr. Timothy Kremchek. Antone, 30, has a 2.47 ERA over 45 big league games since 2020. (Last updated: April 19)