The Cincinnati Reds are uncertain about when center fielder TJ Friedl will return after fracturing his right wrist while attempting a diving catch in a game in Goodyear, Arizona last Saturday.
Friedl, who was the Reds’ regular center fielder last season, sustained a fracture in the distal radius of his wrist. He mentioned on Sunday that he will undergo reevaluation in three to four weeks. “At the moment, my focus is on allowing the bone to heal. I’ll do whatever is necessary to keep the hand steady and minimize movement, allowing the bone to heal naturally,” Friedl told the Cincinnati Enquirer. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, it could take three to six months to return to vigorous activities involving the wrist, and full recovery might take up to a year.
Friedl, aged 28, predominantly batted in the first or second position in the lineup last season, his third in the majors. He posted a batting average of .279 with 18 home runs, 66 RBIs, 47 walks, and stole 27 bases in 33 attempts. With his absence, players like Stuart Fairchild, a right-handed hitter, and Will Benson, a left-handed hitter, could see more playing time in center field, as stated by Nick Krall, Cincinnati’s president of baseball operations. The Reds, led by a group of young players, demonstrated improvement from their 2022 performance of 62 wins, finishing tied for last place in the NL Central, to 82 wins in 2023. They remained in contention for a wild-card spot until the final days of the season, ending two games behind the last playoff position. Expectations are high for them to compete for the division title this season.
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