Just like that, TJ Friedl is back with the Reds

· Yahoo Sports

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 27: TJ Friedl #29 of the Cincinnati Reds bunt single during the second inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field on May 27, 2026 in New York City. The Mets defeated the Reds 4-2. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) | Getty Images

TJ Friedl’s fall from grace with the Cincinnati Reds has been well documented around these parts. From a nearly ~4 WAR guy who received down-ballot MVP votes just a few years back to a guy optioned to the minors on the cusp of his 31st birthday, Friedl’s declining metrics and performance combined with his increased age and salary was enough to wonder if he’d ever be back on the Reds at all.

We asked you about that. You responded overwhelmingly that it did seem likely that his time with the Reds may be done. Blake Dunn, after all, had pretty much usurped him of his CF/leadoff duties, and the Reds had built up other OF depth that made him increasingly expendable.

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The Baseball Gods, though, had other plans.

The elbow sprain suffered by Dunn this week was apparently signficant enough for him to need a trip to the injured list, and the Reds recalled Friedl on Sunday morning to take his place.

Friedl, to his credit, went down to AAA Louisville and found himself a bit across 18 games. He hit .271/.370.471 in 81 PA while there, once again showing his ability to get on base and score runs (13). We know well the offensive environment down there juices some numbers, of course, but it’s at least encouraging to note that what was there to find was at least found by TJ.

Now, he’ll get the chance to show he can cut it again against big league pitching, and he’s in the lineup immediately playing CF on Sunday in the series finale against the Pirates.

You can call it a redemption tour. You can call it anything you like. Fact is, as he nears 31 years old and is playing his way towards a raise on a $3.8 million salary in his arbitration years, the clock is ticking for Friedl to show the Reds he’s worth keeping around beyond 2026. In many ways, Friedl right now is a pretty good metaphor for the last place Cincinnati Reds – down, but not out just yet, and running very, very short on time to prove they can make it work.

Let’s just hope they both have a little magic in them.

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