PITTSBURGH — TJ Friedl is back from the minors just in time for the second half of the Cincinnati Reds season.
Whether last year’s productive leadoff man can rediscover the spark he brought to the Cincinnati Reds lineup during that playoff run, the center fielder had a .370 on-base percentage and three home runs in 18 games for Triple-A Louisville after his first minor-league demotion since he was a rookie in 2022.
Friedl takes the roster spot of Blake Dunn, who suffered a sprained right elbow on a throw to the plate in Friday’s series opener at Pittsburgh. Dunn said he felt a “pop” on the play and didn’t play Saturday while awaiting final evaluations on an MRI.
Dunn’s recovery timeline was not immediately clear.
Friedl was the Reds’ Opening Day leadoff hitter before struggling enough to get bumped down the lineup and then to the bench. He was hitting .179 with a .259 on-base percentage when he was optioned the first week of June.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: TJ Friedl back with the Reds after long stint with Triple-A Louisville
Reporting by Gordon Wittenmyer, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
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By Gordon Wittenmyer, Cincinnati Enquirer | USA TODAY Network
