Home Baseball TJ Friedl’s discouraging injury update provides more chances for this Reds outfielder

TJ Friedl’s discouraging injury update provides more chances for this Reds outfielder

Baseball — 04/15/2024

There’s always a silver lining.

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Stuart Fairchild

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Stuart Fairchild / Jeff Dean/GettyImages

This past week, TJ Friedl did not receive the news he had hoped to hear. For the start of the season, Friedl was placed on the 10-day injured list after suffering a wrist injury during spring training. After the Cincinnati Reds outfielder’s MRI earlier this week, it was found that he would need to resume light activities for a further 7–10 days before he could start preparing for his 2024 debut.

Neither Friedl nor Reds supporters were expecting to hear this news. Arguably the finest outfielder in Cincinnati, Friedl leads the team in vocally and does exceptionally well against left-handed pitchers. Friedl’s bat and glove need to be back in the Reds lineup.

Cincinnati Reds Center Fielder TJ Friedl Leaves Game With Injury - Sports Illustrated Cincinnati Reds News, Analysis and More

However, Stuart Fairchild has performed admirably in his place. Prior to spring training, Fairchild was considered a fringe player; however, his impressive performance in Cactus League play earned him a spot on the Reds Opening Day roster. Friedl is anticipated to stay on the IL for a few weeks, thus Fairchild will undoubtedly continue to get more chances to impress.

Reds' Friedl diagnosed with fractured wrist, no timetable for return | theScore.com

TJ Friedl’s injury update provides more chances for Reds OF Stuart Fairchild

Highlight-worthy skill was Fairchild’s defensive play during the Reds’ 5-0 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Saturday. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Fairchild dived to his right to steal a hit, helping Reds pitcher Nick Lodolo maintain his no-hitter for the time being.

TJ Friedl exits with injury

There has never been any doubt about Fairchild’s quickness or athleticism. Baseball Savant states that Fairchild’s 29.2 feet per second sprint speed from the previous season was in the 92nd percentile throughout all of baseball.

It was Fairchild’s bat that raised the most questions. But with Friedl out of the lineup, left-handed pitchers frequently face Fairchild. With a slash line of.389/.476/.389 against southpaws, Fairchild looks to have filled the void left by Nick Senzel.

During the previous season, Senzel was manager David Bell’s go-to batter against left-handed pitchers. Senzel, a former first-round selection who was non-tendered and signed with the Washington Nationals, made the decision to discontinue his relationship with the Reds this winter. Fairchild is more durable than Senzel, and he is capable of playing all three outfield positions in addition to center field.

With Friedl’s MRI delaying his 2024 premiere, more of Fairchild will probably be revealed in the next days and weeks. When facing left-handers, the player who was originally chosen in the second round is now required to start.