Reds' centerfielder TJ Friedl leaves game vs. Giants after being hit by pitch

The Cincinnati Reds just got TJ Friedl back in the lineup, but after being hit in the hand during the very first pitch of Sunday's series finale against the San Francisco Giants, the outfielder left the game after the top of the first inning.

Facing left-hander Kyle Harrison, Friedl took a 91 mph fastball off his left hand. The Reds' leadoff hitter went to ground and was in obvious pain. The Reds' training staff came out, but Friedl remained in the game and walked down to first base.

The Reds then loaded the bases thanks to pair of walks. Both Spencer Steer and Stuart Fairchild worked the count full against Harrison and then reached via the free pass. Reds' infielder Jeimer Candelario then cleared the bases with a three-RBI double. Candelario was about one foot away from hitting his first-career grand slam.

Reds' centerfielder TJ Friedl leaves game vs. Giants after being hit by pitch

Friedl was the first of three Reds players to cross home plate, but he was still favoring his left hand. In between innings, Friedl went down below the dugout with the training staff and when action resumed, the Cincinnati outfielder was out of the game and replaced in center field by Fairchild. Will Benson entered the game and took over in right field.

Obviously, the hope is that this was just precautionary. Friedl had already missed the first month-plus of the 2024 season after fracturing his right wrist while attempting to make a diving catch during a spring training game in Arizona. Friedl was just activated from the IL last Tuesday.

The Reds are looking to break out of a horrific slump that has seen the team lose nine of their 10 games. Cincinnati will try to wrap up a series victory in San Francisco before heading to the desert for the upcoming series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

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