NewsEncarnacion activated ahead of schedule
Richar's injury leads Reds to bring back third baseman
By Steve Gartner / MLB.com
07/03/09 6:42 PM ET
CINCINNATI -- Edwin Encarnacion's return to the Major Leagues has come sooner than expected. After he wasn't expected to be activated from the 60-day disabled list until Sunday, Encarnacion rejoined the club Friday after infielder Danny Richar was placed on the 15-day DL. Encarnacion said he is 100 percent and hasn't felt any pain since two weeks before he began his rehab assignment on June 21. "I'm ready to help my team win some games," Encarnacion said. "I know I can do a lot of things for my team." Encarnacion had been out since April 28 with an injured left wrist. He was hitting just .127 with one homer and six RBIs in 19 games before the injury. Encarnacion said he learned a lot watching from the sidelines. He hopes to be back in the lineup on Saturday against the Cardinals. "Whenever [manager Dusty Baker] puts me in the lineup, I'm ready," Encarnacion said. "I have to be consistent. I can't try to do too much." In 11 games with Triple-A Louisville, Encarnacion hit .270 with two home runs and eight RBIs. "He brings us some sock," Baker said. "He's a guy that's capable of having a big RBI night." Baker said the original plan was to bring Encarnacion back Saturday and activate him Sunday. But because of the injury to Richar, Encarnacion's arrival comes a day earlier. "He's probably still going to be a little bit behind no matter how long he stays down there because he's a couple months behind," Baker said. Richar injured his left shoulder sliding home in Wednesday's game against the D-backs. He was called up from Triple-A Louisville on June 21 when they placed shortstop Alex Gonzalez on the 15-day DL. He had two hits in eight at-bats for the Reds. To make room for Encarnacion on the roster, the Reds placed Wilkin Castillo on the 60-day DL. Castillo has been out since June 23 with a right shoulder injury.Steve Gartner is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
