Reds News: TJ Freidl injury update, Will Benson ends slump, Santiago Espinal's 1st HR

The injury bug has been one of the chief storylines for the Cincinnati Reds this season. Players like Tejay Antone and Frankie Montas have gone down in-season, while the likes Matt McLain and Ian Gibaut have been out since Opening Day.

But lately, a rash of illnesses have flooded the Reds clubhouse. Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Jeimer Candelario have missed time, but more recently Jonathan India, Justin Wilson, and Jake Fraley have been unavailable.

Reds manager David Bell has been able to weather the storm, and Cincinnati has won four of their last five games, so the impact hasn't been too severe. But with the schedule getting more difficult, it sure would be good to have a full compliment of players at the ready.

Reds News: TJ Friedl injury update

One good tidbit of information on the injury front is that TJ Friedl is preparing for a return to the diamond sooner rather than later. The Reds centerfielder has been on the shelf with a wrist injury he suffered during spring training, but is currently rehabbing out in Arizona.

Friedl is said to be ramping up baseball activities and, according to Bell, is much further ahead than expected. Once Friedl is full-go, the Reds will likely send him on a rehab assignment with a return date likely targeted for May.

Reds News: Will Benson ends his slump

Will Benson entered Tuesday night's game against the Philadelphia Phillies having gone 0-for-16. The Reds outfielder experienced similar struggles during the beginning of the 2023 season and was sent to Triple-A Louisville in order to get his swing right.

Thankfully that wasn't necessary this time, as Benson ended what eventually turned into an 0-for-18 skid with a single during Tuesday's game at Great American Ball Park. The Reds are hopeful that Benson catches a wave of momentum with the hitless streak now a thing of the past.

Reds News: Santiago Espinal recorded 1st HR since being traded to Cincy

The Reds made a preseason trade with the Toronto Blue Jays after learning the details of Matt McLain's injury. Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall swung a deal for infielder Santiago Espinal, but the former All-Star has had a rough go at the outset of his Cincinnati tenure.

That all ended on Tuesday night against the Phillies. Espinal was 3-for-4 with a home run. The round tripper came just after Espinal was almost hit by a pitch. Phillies reliever Ricardo Pinto came up and in with his first pitch, and after getting back in the batters' box, Espinal rocketed his first homer as a Red over the wall in left field.

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