Reds Spring Training update: Brandon Williamson injury, Joey Votto HR, Josh Harrison

By now, most of the Cincinnati Reds fanbase is aware that the team will be starting the 2024 season without TJ Friedl. The Reds centerfielder suffered a wrist injury over the weekend while making a diving attempt to catch a fly ball.

Friedl is slated to be reexamined in three-to-four weeks, but it's unlikely that he'll be back on the field that quickly. Going forward, David Bell planning to use a combination of Will Benson and Stuart Fairchild in center field.

But Friedl isn't the only Reds player who's dealing with an injury at the moment. Cincinnati's starter from Sunday was lifted early due to injury, an old friend went deep in his first game of the spring, and a former Cincinnati high school star was among those cut from camp on Monday.

Reds Spring Training update: Brandon Williamson injury

Add left-hander Brandon Williamson to the list of walking wounded in Reds camp. Williamson pitched just two innings on Sunday, but was removed after experiencing soreness in his left shoulder. Williamson has been attempting to win a job in the starting rotation.

Until a recent development with Nick Martinez, it seemed like a long shot for Williamson to make the roster coming out of Goodyear. Martinez pitched in a simulated game over the weekend, and by all accounts, should be ready for Opening Day. That, in conjunction with Williamson's sore shoulder, may put an end to his chances of breaking camp with the big league squad.

Reds Spring Training update: Joey Votto home run

Joey Votto homered in his first at-bat for the Toronto Blue Jays because, well, he's Joey Votto. The Toronto native, who signed a non-roster deal with his hometown team, swung at the first pitch he saw and (maybe) launched over the wall. There are some questions as to whether or not Votto's ball actually cleared the right-center field wall. But there's no instant replay in spring training.

Votto is unlikely to make the Blue Jays roster out of spring training and will likely start his 2024 campaign at Triple-A Buffalo. The Reds cut Votto loose earlier this offseason after declining to pick up his $20 million team-option.

Cincinnati had no intentions of re-signing the 40-year this offseason, and after several months of being a free agent, Votto finally signed with the Blue Jays. Votto is hoping to return to form after two sub-par seasons to close out his career with the Reds.

Reds Spring Training update: Josh Harrison opts out of contract

Speaking of players returning to their hometown, the dream is over for Josh Harrison. After being informed on Sunday that he was not going to make the team, Harrison exercised the opt-out clause in his contract. Harrison hit just .250/.250/.350 in eight Cactus League games this spring.

Harrison isn't the only one leaving camp, however. Fellow non-roster invitee Tony Kemp has been reassigned to minor-league camp, as were Justin Bruihl, Tyler Gilbert, and Brooks Kriske.

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