Reds FeedTJ Friedl
CF · Age 31 · Bats Left
Where things stand
TJ Friedl's tenure with the Cincinnati Reds has ended after he elected free agency following his designation for assignment in late September. The outfielder experienced a dramatic collapse in 2026, batting .172 with a 43 wRC+ across 91 games—a sharp decline from his 2025 career year when he hit .261 with a 112 wRC+. The deterioration appears linked to Friedl abandoning his plate discipline and contact-focused approach in favor of power, which conflicted with his skill set. He will now seek employment with another organization after his worst season in the majors.
Synthesized by MLB Feed Network from the 41 stories below. How we write these
2026 season
Stats from the MLB Stats API.
Contract
See the full Reds payroll.
TJ Friedl coverage
Reds' Gold Glove exclusion gives their defensive focus a new goal for 2027
No Cincinnati Reds players were named Gold Glove finalists for 2026, highlighting defensive struggles under manager Terry Francona despite his emphasis on clean baseball. The team committed 89 errors, ranked 16th in outs above average with 2 OAA, and placed 27th in defensive runs saved with -31 DRS, with only 20 teams finishing ahead of them in fielding percentage. Key defenders Ke'Bryan Hayes and TJ Friedl, who was designated for assignment, showed individual defensive merit but saw reduced playing time due to offensive limitations. The Reds will look to improve defensively in 2027 with their retained coaching staff and players like Elly De La Cruz, though offensive production will remain critical for earning regular playing time.
Blog Red MachineUNLOADING: Cincinnati Reds START Offseason by PARTING Ways With TJ Friedl, Will Benson
The Cincinnati Reds begin their offseason by losing several key contributors as TJ Friedl, Will Benson, and PJ Higgins elected free agency, while the team also lost Michael Toglia on waivers despite his minor league potential. The episode examines what these roster moves reveal about general manager Nick Krall's direction for the team following a disappointing 75-87 season, and discusses the departure of pitching coordinator Derek Johnson and its implications for the Reds' young pitching staff. The show also covers the cancellation of Reds Fest and the return of the broadcast team including John Sadak, Chris Welsh, and Barry Larkin.
Locked On RedsCincinnati Reds links – Elly the player of the month, Derek Johnson to leave Reds
Elly De La Cruz earned National League Player of the Month honors for September after hitting 9 home runs and posting a 1.156 OPS, accumulating 2.0 fWAR that topped Mookie Betts and Fernando Tatis Jr. The 24-year-old Reds superstar will remain with Cincinnati for two more seasons before becoming a free agent. Outfielder TJ Friedl elected free agency after struggling in 2026 and being designated for assignment in September, leaving the Reds to search for a center field replacement from their young prospects or through trades. Pitching coach Derek Johnson is departing the organization after seven years, during which he developed a strong staff that included Sonny Gray and helped establish a pipeline from Vanderbilt.
Red ReporterTJ Friedl elects free agency and officially ends a Reds' run that exceeded expectations
TJ Friedl elected free agency on Tuesday after the Cincinnati Reds designated him for assignment, ending his time with the organization. The 2026 season was a dramatic collapse for Friedl, who earned $3.8 million in his first arbitration year but posted a .172 batting average with a 43 wRC+ and -0.7 fWAR, the worst numbers of his career. This represented a sharp decline from his 2025 career year when he hit .261 with a 112 wRC+ and led MLB with 11 bunt base hits while helping the Reds reach the postseason. The deterioration appears linked to Friedl abandoning his plate discipline and contact-focused approach in favor of power, which conflicted with his skill set and the team's new hitting philosophy.
Blog Red MachineCincinnati Reds lose TJ Friedl to free agency
TJ Friedl elected free agency after the Cincinnati Reds designated him for assignment in late September. The outfielder had a disastrous 2026 season, batting .172 with a .255 on-base percentage and .255 slugging percentage across 91 games, striking out 23.2% of the time. This represented a dramatic decline from his 2021-2025 tenure with Cincinnati, when he posted a .257 average and 106 OPS+. Friedl will now seek employment with another organization after his worst year in the majors.
Redleg Nation12 Players Elect Free Agency
Twelve minor league players have elected free agency after being outrighted off their teams' 40-man rosters during the 2026 season. The group includes catchers Riley Adams, P.J. Higgins, and Sam Huff; infielders Joey Meneses and Zack Short; outfielders TJ Friedl, Nolan Jones, and Alek Thomas; and pitchers Kevin Herget, Parker Mushinski, Jared Shuster, and Steven Wilson. To qualify for minor league free agency, players must have multiple career outrights and/or at least three years of major league service time.
MLB Trade RumorsReds' shocking social media nugget makes Nick Krall's future even harder to defend
The Cincinnati Reds have five of baseball's nine worst hitters by wRC+ (a measure of offensive value), and General Manager Nick Krall acquired four of them through trades. The group includes Ke'Bryan Hayes (17 wRC+, the worst in baseball), Noelvi Marte (47 wRC+), Edwin Arroyo (46 wRC+), and Jose Trevino (46 wRC+), while TJ Friedl (43 wRC+) was recently designated for assignment. Hayes and Trevino remain under contract for next season with a combined $12.25 million in salary, making Krall's roster construction decisions difficult to justify.
Blog Red MachineReds News: TJ Friedl returns, Luis Castillo struggles, Rays release ex-outfielder
TJ Friedl was designated for assignment by the Reds after a disappointing 2026 season and accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Louisville, though the minor league season has already ended, effectively concluding his year. Friedl batted .172 with a .510 OPS, a dramatic decline from his 2025 performance, and will become a minor league free agent in the offseason. Former Reds pitcher Luis Castillo has struggled with the White Sox, posting a 7.54 ERA in six starts before being moved to the bullpen, where he allowed seven runs in three appearances. Outfielder Jake Fraley, who signed with Tampa Bay, was released after being designated for assignment.
Blog Red MachineBROKEN: Cincinnati Reds BLASTED by Barry Larkin—Change MUST Happen NOW
Barry Larkin and Joey Votto express frustration with the Cincinnati Reds organization, calling for significant changes after another disappointing season. The hosts examine questionable front office decisions including the acquisition of Oswaldo Cabrera and the decision to designate TJ Friedl for assignment, while questioning the team's tendency to prioritize scouting evaluations over actual performance. The episode also discusses overlooked players like Matt McLain and debates whether the Reds' emphasis on versatility over production represents a flawed organizational philosophy that needs to be abandoned.
Locked On RedsThe Cincinnati Reds outfield in a post TJ Friedl world
The Cincinnati Reds designated TJ Friedl for assignment after he struggled significantly in 2026, leaving a gap in center field and leadoff duties. The team's outfield production has been historically poor, with the right field group posting a 56 wRC+ last season—the worst in baseball—and the entire outfield combining for a 79 wRC+, also last in the majors. The Reds have several in-house options for 2027 including JJ Bleday, Dane Myers, Hector Rodriguez, Blake Dunn, and Carlos Jorge, though none appear capable of being an everyday regular or middle-order contributor at this point. The organization faces pressure to rebuild its outfield but shows little urgency in acquiring proven talent, instead relying on internal prospects to develop.
Red ReporterReds News: Chase Burns shut down, Spencer Steer Fall League, TJ Friedl's future
Chase Burns' season ended when the Reds placed the 26-year-old pitcher on the 15-day injured list with a groin strain, though the injury is not considered severe. In his first full major league season, Burns made 29 starts with a 2.86 ERA, struck out nearly 30% of batters faced, and accumulated 154⅓ innings pitched while earning an All-Star selection and a seven-year, $105 million contract extension. Spencer Steer will participate in the Arizona Fall League to continue rehabbing from a wrist injury suffered in late July, with surgery still a possibility if conservative treatment fails. The Reds designated outfielder TJ Friedl for assignment after he batted .172 with a 43 wRC+ in 91 games this season.
Blog Red MachineReds place Chase Burns on IL, designate TJ Friedl for assignment
The Reds placed pitcher Chase Burns on the 15-day injured list with a right groin strain, effectively ending his season with little time remaining on the schedule. To make room on the 40-man roster for replacement pitcher Carson Spiers, who is returning from Tommy John surgery, Cincinnati designated outfielder TJ Friedl for assignment. Friedl, the team's regular leadoff hitter and center fielder since 2023, has experienced a significant decline this season, posting a .510 OPS through 91 games after posting a .364 OBP last year. The Reds are likely to non-tender Friedl in the offseason rather than pay him through arbitration, though he could potentially return on a minor league deal.
Red ReporterReds Designate TJ Friedl For Assignment
The Reds designated outfielder TJ Friedl for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for right-hander Carson Spiers, who was called up from Triple-A Louisville. Friedl, who had a strong 2023 season with a .279 average and 4.1 WAR, has declined significantly in 2026, posting a .179/.259/.256 slash line with a 44 wRC+ through early June before being optioned to Louisville. The move comes as Chase Burns goes on the 15-day injured list with a right groin strain; Burns had a strong season with a 2.86 ERA and 4.3 fWAR before the injury ended his year.
MLB Trade RumorsReds place Burns on the IL, call up Spiers, and DFA TJ Friedl
The Cincinnati Reds placed All-Star pitcher Chase Burns on the 15-day injured list due to a right groin strain, ending his season after a stellar rookie year in which he went 15-3 with a 2.86 ERA across 29 starts. The team called up Carson Spiers from Triple-A Louisville to fill Burns's rotation spot and designated outfielder TJ Friedl for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster. Spiers is returning from Tommy John surgery and has pitched well in recent Triple-A starts, allowing just two runs over 16 innings in his last three outings. Friedl struggled significantly in 2026, batting .172 in 91 games with the Reds, and may see his time with the organization end if another team doesn't claim him on waivers.
Redleg NationChicago Cubs vs Cincinnati Reds – September 19, 2026
The Reds won Friday's series opener against the Cubs and host Chicago again Saturday at 6:40pm ET at Great American Ball Park. Nick Lodolo starts for Cincinnati with a 5.12 ERA this season, while Matthew Boyd takes the mound for Chicago with a 4.16 ERA. Lodolo has struggled with consistency after dealing with blister issues, while Boyd has pitched significantly better on the road (2.95 ERA) than at home (5.53 ERA) this year. Cincinnati made four roster moves today, optioning TJ Friedl and Julian Aguiar while calling up reliever Zach McCambley and activating Oswaldo Cabrera.
Redleg NationReds quietly signal TJ Friedl’s days are numbered with latest roster move
The Cincinnati Reds optioned left fielder TJ Friedl to Triple-A and activated utility player Oswaldo Cabrera ahead of Saturday's game against the Cubs. Friedl has struggled significantly this season, batting .179 in his first 47 games and .157 since returning to the roster on June 28, primarily serving as a defensive replacement. The Reds also recalled pitcher Zach McCambley and sent pitcher Julian Aguiar back to the minors. Cabrera, acquired off waivers from the Yankees, will have the final week-and-a-half of the season to prove he belongs in Cincinnati's 2027 plans.
Blog Red MachineReds send TJ Friedl to Triple-A among several roster moves
The Cincinnati Reds optioned outfielder TJ Friedl and pitcher Julian Aguiar to Triple-A Louisville while calling up reliever Zach McCambley and utility player Oswaldo Cabrera ahead of their game against Chicago. Friedl has struggled significantly this season, batting .172 with a .510 OPS across 91 games, marking a substantial decline from his previous performance. Aguiar was recalled to pitch multiple innings in Friday's game after the Reds depleted their bullpen, while McCambley returns after a month in the minors where he posted a 3.38 ERA despite walking more batters than he struck out. Both Friedl and Aguiar will likely miss the remainder of the season due to the required time they must spend in the minors and the limited games remaining on Cincinnati's schedule.
Redleg NationReds send TJ Frield to Triple-A among several roster moves
The Cincinnati Reds optioned outfielder TJ Friedl and pitcher Julian Aguiar to Triple-A Louisville while calling up reliever Zach McCambley and utility player Oswaldo Cabrera from the Yankees on waivers. Friedl has struggled significantly this season, batting .172 with a .510 OPS across 91 games, while Aguiar was sent down after pitching three innings in relief the previous night. McCambley has been recalled multiple times this year and most recently pitched a scoreless inning against St. Louis over a month ago. The optioning of Friedl and Aguiar likely ends their seasons, as they must remain in the minors for at least 10 and 15 days respectively, and Cincinnati has only nine games remaining.
Redleg NationREDS POSTCAST: Cincinnati Reds Collapse as Brady Singer STRUGGLES, Tyler Stephenson Future UNCERTAIN
The Cincinnati Reds suffered an 8-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, with starter Brady Singer delivering another poor performance that intensifies questions about his future with the team and a potential contract extension. Tyler Stephenson's early exit due to a hamstring injury compounds the team's concerns as they struggle with offensive depth compared to elite competitors. The episode examines standout performances from Sal Stewart and TJ Friedl while debating whether Cincinnati can rebuild around emerging talent or needs significant offseason changes.
Locked On RedsJust how bad is ‘bad’ on the Cincinnati Reds offense?
The Cincinnati Reds have slightly improved their offensive standing but remain among baseball's worst-hitting teams. While their team slugging percentage of .397 ranks 21st, their batting average of .230 and on-base percentage of .308 both rank last in MLB, with their wRC+ of 92 placing them ahead of only Colorado. The team's offense is heavily dependent on Elly De La Cruz, Eugenio Suarez, and Sal Stewart, while three other regular players—Ke'Bryan Hayes, TJ Friedl, and Noelvi Marte—rank among the four worst hitters in baseball among those with at least 200 plate appearances.
Red Reporter