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Back on March 27, the Cincinnati Reds placed TJ Friedl on the 10-day injured list. Friedl fractured his right wrist in a spring training game against the Seattle Mariners on March 16, when he attempted a diving catch and rolled his glove hand in the process, but he managed to avoid the 60-day IL at the start of the 2024 regular season.
Initially given a six-to-eight-week timetable for a return to the field when the injury occurred, Friedl is beginning to make significant progress in his recovery from the setback. By the sound of things, he could be available for the Reds and fantasy managers in the near future.
Let's take a look at how far Friedl has come in working his way back from the issue.
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TJ Friedl Injury Update for Fantasy Baseball
Manager David Bell said on April 9 that Friedl was scheduled for a check-in MRI that week. The center fielder must have received a good report, as Bell said on April 23 that Friedl is "much further ahead" than expected.
David Bell Tuesday:
* Sam Moll activated off IL, Casey Legumina optioned
* India, Fraley, Justin Wilson all "significantly" healthier
* Benson "still trending up" despite 0-for-16 slump
* TJ Friedl taking flips and hitting off tee, "much further ahead" than expected— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) April 23, 2024
With Friedl ramping up his baseball activity, including hitting flips in the batting cage and hitting off of a tee, a minor league rehab assignment would seem to be a possibility as early as the weekend. He should be back at some point in the middle of May.
TJ Friedl Fantasy Baseball Outlook
Friedl flourished during his first full year in the major leagues in 2023, slashing a potent .279/.352/.467 with 18 home runs, 66 RBI, 73 runs scored, and 27 stolen bases across 556 plate appearances. The 28-year-old left-handed hitter should serve as Cincy's everyday center fielder upon his eventual activation from the IL, likely occupying a premium spot in the batting order after starting 98 games from either the leadoff position or the two-hole last season.
TJ FRIEDL HAS HOMERED IN FOUR STRAIGHT GAMES@TjFriedl1 pic.twitter.com/VTCZK0IlIy
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) September 27, 2023
After a rocky July and August, Friedl wrapped up a career year by slashing .333/.450/.704 with 13 extra-base hits, 18 RBI, 18 runs scored, and three stolen bases over his final 102 PAs (26 games) in September and October. Rostered in just 42% of Yahoo leagues, Friedl should be stashed in the majority of mixed fantasy leagues with his return on the horizon and a hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park awaiting him.
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