Reds hope to get much-needed boost with Friedl's return

CINCINNATI -- When TJ Friedl was activated from the injured list on Tuesday, it happened when the Reds needed their center fielder and leadoff hitter the most.

The Reds have struggled because their sagging offense hasn't produced. As much as they wanted Friedl back from a fractured right wrist, they needed him too, but he's aware the game is hard enough without worrying about pressure. So, he wasn't fretting.

“That’s kind of the elephant in the room," Friedl said Tuesday afternoon. “For me personally, I’m just going to go out there and play my game and do what I do. I think the worst thing you can do is put pressure on yourself, and that’s for anyone, especially in this game of failures. I’m just happy to be back, happy to be with these guys, happy to be back in the clubhouse and just be on this team. For me, I will just do whatever I can on the field to make an impact and the rest will take care of itself.”

Friedl went 0-for-4 in the game, and the Reds' losing streak extended to six games during a 6-2 defeat to the Diamondbacks at Great American Ball Park. They've been outscored, 34-10, during the streak.

Cincinnati, which has also lost nine of its last 11, hasn't held a lead for 42 innings, going back to Wednesday at San Diego.

Friedl, 28, batted .279 with an .819 OPS, 18 home runs, 66 RBIs and 27 steals in 2023 while playing superb defense in his first full big league season. He was injured trying to make a diving catch in a March 16 Spring Training game.

Cincinnati's .207 team average is ranked 30th out of 30 MLB teams. No pressure, but Friedl's return is expected to help Cincinnati both on the field and inside the clubhouse.

“It’s huge. He’s a high-energy guy, brings a lot to this team and in the clubhouse," left fielder Spencer Steer said. "Obviously, what he does on the field, setting the tone at the top of the lineup and he consistently gives you good at-bats. He plays an unbelievable center field. He’s a huge part of our team and I’m glad we have him back."

Friedl was 4-for-16 (.250) with three doubles during a four-game rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville. While that seemed like a short amount of time to build back up after being away for nearly two months, Friedl felt it was more than enough.

“It was more about pitch selection and timing than it was where I was hitting the ball or the results," Friedl said. "I was very happy with the games I played in Triple-A at St. Paul.

The last two games for Louisville at St. Paul on Saturday and Sunday had Friedl playing all nine innings. Sunday was a day game after a night game, and he felt no soreness in his legs or wrist afterwards. He let manager David Bell know he was ready.

“Every player on this team serves an important role," Bell said. "We know what TJ is capable of. We’ve seen what he’s been able to do for us. But he doesn’t need, or can’t, do any more than that. Everyone has their part to play in this and we’re a team. It’s all going to add up.”

Friedl made three catches in the outfield on Tuesday. Offensively, he grounded out twice, popped out to the shortstop and struck out once.

“Timing felt good. I had some good swings on the ball. My legs felt good in the outfield," he said after the game.

While his wrist was still in a protective brace at the start of the season, Friedl was around the team and traveled with it for the road games. Once given the clearance to start doing more baseball activity about three weeks ago, he went to the team's complex in Goodyear, Ariz.

That absence from his teammates proved to be profound. Friedl, who watched most of the Reds' games from Arizona with fellow injured teammate Alex Young, arrived at Great American Ball Park a little earlier than usual on Tuesday with high anticipation.

"It was crazy, three weeks felt like a whole offseason for me," he said. "It felt like I hadn’t seen these guys in a year. I came earlier than I ever would because I wanted to see everyone. I wanted to be back in the clubhouse and be with the guys. You miss that energy. You miss that feel.”

Clearly, the feeling was mutual.

“He’s an impact player," Steer said. "It’s always nice to get those types of players back in your lineup. Hopefully it will get us out of this little funk."