This Reds player will inevitably be sent down once Jake Fraley returns

The Cincinnati Reds have been bitten by the injury bug of late. Jonathan India, Joey Votto, Curt Casali, and Kevin Newman are all on the injured list.

But the biggest loss over the last month may have been Jake Fraley. The Reds outfielder was placed on the 10-day IL on August 4th with a stress fracture on his left foot.

Though he'll need surgery during the offseason, the 28-year-old plans to gut it out over the final month of the season. Fraley began a rehab assignment on Tuesday and it's very likely, if he's healthy enough to return, that the slugger will be back in Cincinnati for the upcoming homestand.

Reds: TJ Hopkins will inevitably be sent down once Jake Fraley returns

But, with the return of one player comes the demotion of another. If and when Jake Fraley returns to the Cincinnati Reds lineup, it's inevitable that TJ Hopkins will lose his spot on the team's active roster.

Hopkins was actually called up the very day that Fraley landed on the IL, so it only stands to reason that the 26-year-old rookie will head back to Triple-A Louisville once the outfielder returns from his rehab assignment.

Hopkins has had very limited opportunities to contribute since being recalled from Triple-A. While Nick Senzel was initially passed over for Hopkins, the Reds former first-round pick has since started the last two games against the San Francisco Giants.

Michael Siani was another option, and is a left-handed hitter just like Jake Fraley. However, on Tuesday, the Reds decided to select the contract of Alejo Lopez and optioned Siani back to Triple-A Louisville.

Nick Martini has filled in admirably since having his contract selected by the Reds last week, but David Bell badly needs Jake Fraley's back in the starting lineup.