Reds outfielder Jake Fraley should be optioned to Triple-A after his rehab assignment

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. It may leave the Cincinnati Reds absent a left-handed bat, but when Jake Fraley completes his rehab assignment, don't expect him to join the active roster.

Fraley was placed on the Injured List earlier this season with knee inflammation. The outfielder began a rehab assignment with High-A Dayton last Sunday and is now with Triple-A Louisville. Fraley is 2-for-11 in four games with the Bats thus far.

Unless one of the Reds current quintet of outfielders goes down with injury, Fraley should stay put with the Louisville Bats. The 27-year-old has two minor league options remaining.

Reds OF Jake Fraley should be optioned to Triple-A after his rehab assignment.

Jake Fraley was one of the players included in the Cincinnati Reds' trade with the Seattle Mariners this offseason. The Redlegs also received pitchers Justin Dunn, Brandon Williamson, and Connor Phillips. In exchange, Cincinnati shipped Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suárez to the Pacific Northwest.

Fraley was expected to be a platoon outfielder due to his success versus right-handed pitchers. But with the current crop of players roaming the outfield grass, there's little that Fraley would bring to the table.

Nick Senzel and Tommy Pham are everyday players, and Tyler Naquin is in that mix as well. Albert Almora Jr. has played very well, especially defensively, and Aristides Aquino has shown improvement since coming back from Triple-A.

Fraley may well be waiting until closer to July to return to the big league club. Both Almora Jr. and Aquino are out of minor league options and are unlikely to be designated for assignment. But, both Pham and Naquin could be on the move as we approach the trade deadline.

Until his opportunity comes, Jake Fraley should just focus on improving at the dish. In 43 at-bats with the Cincinnati Reds this season, the former second-round pick has just five base hits and a .441 OPS. He'll need to show that he can handle opposing pitchers at Triple-A before he returns to the big leagues.