Reds fans will hate latest roster move even though it's the right call

Deep breath, Reds fans. It's going to be okay. On Friday afternoon, the Cincinnati Reds activated TJ Friedl from the injured list after the centerfielder had been sidelined with a hamstring injury. But wait, there's more.

In order to clear a spot for Friedl on the active roster, the Reds optioned Rece Hinds to Triple-A Louisville. There are a number of Reds fans who can be heard screaming from Covington, Kentucky at this moment, but the truth of the matter is that, while unpopular, this is the correct baseball move.

Reds fans should be celebrating the fact their Opening Day centerfielder is back from the IL. Friedl was arguably the Reds' best player last season, and having him back in the lineup will be a welcome sight for the other 25 guys in the dugout. Friedl hasn't been able to catch a break this season after being saddled with three separate injuries that have robbed him of all but 26 games.

Reds activate TJ Friedl, option Rece Hinds to Triple-A

But it's hard to be happy when a player who broke records that hadn't been touched in over 100 years is sent back to the minor leagues. How did the Reds come to such a radical conclusion that Hinds was the player who should be sent down?

It's simple, really. First, he has minor-league options remaining — Stuart Fairchild and Austin Slater do not. Second, while his first week in the big leagues saw him hit .423/.464/.1.192 with nine extra base hits including five homers, Hinds has just one his in his last 12 at-bats and has struck out five times without drawing a walk.

Some Reds fans will argue that Slater should have been designated for assignment, but the veteran's career splits over his career show very favorable numbers when he faces left-handed pitching. On most nights, the outfield will consist Friedl, Jake Fraley, and either Will Benson or Spencer Steer. Slater and Fairchild will continue to start against left-handed pitching.

Hinds has unworldly power — something that Reds fans will undoubtedly see again very soon. But with the team looking to make a push toward the postseason, the Reds need to have their best lineup on the field. Hinds has a long history of majestic home runs, but he also strikes out a lot. As Reds fans have seen in the past, any player can get hot for a week, but once big league pitchers adjust, the hitter must make adjustments too.

There's also the matter of the trade deadline, and who knows what the Reds are going to do over the next five days. If and when the Reds are truly eliminated from playoff contention, Hinds will rejoin the ball club — if not before.

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