The Cincinnati Reds have activated outfielder Tyler Naquin from the injured list. He had been on there for a few days with no designation (which means he was on the COVID list – but to be sure to clarify that one does not have to test positive for COVID to be placed on the list, but to merely show symptoms that could be COVID). To make room on the 28-man roster the team optioned outfielder TJ Friedl back to Triple-A Louisville. But the team also needed to open up a spot on the 40-man roster to bring Naquin back and that leads us to the bad news that reliever Daniel Duarte is on the 60-day injured list now.
We can start with Daniel Duarte. The rookie made his big league debut on April 8th and pitched in three games with the club before he was placed on the 10-day injured list a week ago with a swollen right elbow. The 2020 Olympian (Team Mexico) will now be out for quite a while – not eligible to return until at least mid-June.
Tyler Naquin returns today and is back in the starting lineup and leading off. For an offense that’s been struggling, Naquin could be a breath of fresh air. He’s had four extra-base hits this season in just nine games and does bring some pop to a lineup that could use it as the Reds are dead last in the league with just nine home runs. They are also dead last with a comical .278 slugging percentage.
TJ Friedl’s stay in Cincinnati was a short one this time. He played in three games, going 0-7. He walked once and struck out three times while starting in center once and coming off of the bench to play right field in two games.
Cincinnati is getting a little bit healthier with both Lucas Sims and Tyler Naquin returning in the last two days. With that said they still have 11! players on the injured list – the most in Major League Baseball.
From the current active roster, nine players will have to be optioned or DFA between tomorrow and the end of May to make room for Castillo, Minor, Stephenson, India, Barrero, Solano, Moustakas and the two extra spots.
Except for Minor and Moustakas I’ll be happy to see all of those guys back on the active roster. And I’d add Max Schrock to that list. This team will get better – admitting the bar is a liiiiittle low right now…
Abysmally low bar
Look for one or two of the injured to be moved to the 60 day IL before then. Mike Minor comes to mind.
What’s the situation with Solano will we ever see him play?
Yeah that is going to be an easy decision, only 9?
Thanks Doug, you answered my question “does any team have more players on IL than the Reds? “. Is it possible that off season conditioning has anything to do with it?
I just came across a 2006 article about Bob Castellini, his Reds’ ownership philosophy, and his management style: https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2006/04/10/story2.html.
Dare to compare and contrast to what you may have seen or experienced in the last 16 years.
One of the more interesting things that stood out to me was that ownership even made plans way back in 2006 to financially weather the effects of a work stoppage due to a players strike or national crisis.
So, one can draw a number of conclusions from this article. The first is perhaps he was never serious. The second option and in my mind the more concerning issue is that Bob isn’t calling the shots anymore. Phil is. And he’s shown what he is. Otherwise, the entire article is bogus. Thus far there’s no evidence that anyone has been held accountable.
They should cut aqunio and keep tj up in major
TJ’s MLB career line isn’t particularly impressive, albeit on a small sample (44 PAs) and he’s almost 27. On the other hand, who on the Reds has a decent stat line this year. But, generally, I think I’d rather see one of the other guys who are younger.
And you think that’s the answer to a 10 game losing streak? Friedel did not have one hit while he was up.
I’m glad Naquin is back. Makes them a better ball club.
I detect sarcasm. LOL
Let’s go Reds!!! Law of average says they win today.
So, Duarte pitched in Louisville, boarded a plane, flew to SD, got off the plane and more or less pitched immediately and is now hurt and on the 60-day with an elbow injury. Is that what I see in the fine print? At least for him he’s on the ML roster if he needs TJ surgery.