Reds manager David Bell reveals plans for center field after TJ Friedl's injury

Injuries are part of the game, Reds fans. Yes, the Cincinnati Reds lost their more irreplaceable player over the weekend, but the season begins next Thursday whether TJ Friedl is on the field or not.

Friedl has been diagnosed with a non-displaced fracture in his right wrist. He suffered the injury during Saturday's spring game against the Seattle Mariners. The bone has to heal, and Friedl will be reevaluated in 3-4 weeks.

This is a major blow the Reds' pursuit of the 2024 NL Central Division crown, but this year's team has plenty of depth. Manager David Bell said that Will Benson will receive a ton of reps in center field this week, suggesting that the 25-year-old will likely be the Reds Opening Day starter in center field.

Reds manager David Bell reveals plans for center field after TJ Friedl's injury

The Reds will likely miss Friedl's bat and leadership more than his defense, but the 28-year-old was scheduled to be Cincinnati's everyday centerfielder in 2024. If there was one contingency that Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall didn't plan for this offseason, it was who would replace Friedl if he suffered an injury.

Reds fans are going to find out the answer to that question, and Benson is Bell's first choice to replace Friedl in center field. Benson has played center field in just 14 major league games. Stuart Fairchild will also receive some reps up the middle as well.

Moving Benson to center field will have a ripple effect in the outfield. Benson was likely to split time in right field with Jake Fraley heading into 2024, but that plan will have to be altered. Look for Benson and Fraley to be fixtures in the outfield until Friedl returns.

Krall did not rule out adding another player before the start of the season, but with players like Rece Hinds, Nick Martini, and Jacob Hurtubise on the Reds 40-man roster, Cincinnati has in-house options. There's also top outfield prospect Blake Dunn. Ranked 11th in the Reds' farm system according to MLB Pipeline, Dunn was Cincinnati's best hitting prospect in 2023.

It's never good when a team leader like Friedl, who players such a vital position defensively, is going to miss extended time to begin the season. But the Reds weathered the storm in 2023 and came within an eyelash of going to the postseason. They'll have to overcome adversity once again in 2024.

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