Reds' trade acquisition could be ditched quickly following TJ Friedl's injury update

The Cincinnati Reds fanbase cannot wait for TJ Friedl to return to the team. Arguably the Reds' most valuable player from a year ago, Friedl has hit the IL three different times this season.

The Reds' centerfielder missed Opening Day after injuring his shoulder, was out for over a week after being hit on the hand, and is out of action at the moment while nursing a hamstring injury. But it sounds as if Friedl will be back in the Reds' lineup sooner rather than later.

Friedl is set for a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville that is scheduled to begin on Sunday. After a brief stint in the minors, Cincinnati expects Friedl to return to the active roster before the team's three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Reds could DFA Austin Slater when TJ Friedl returns from the IL

But when Friedl returns, it's sure to spell doom for one of two players on the Reds current roster. If no one else hits the IL, the decision likely to comes down to Will Benson and Austin Slater. Neither player has been exceptional this season, but Slater has given the Reds very little since being traded to Cincinnati a couple weeks ago.

Slater was designated for assignment by the San Francisco Giants earlier this summer and the Reds decided to pounce on the opportunity. Cincinnati shipped reliever Alex Young to San Fran and secured Slater's services as well as some cash.

But in his short stint with the Redlegs, Slater has made some boneheaded defensive plays in the outfield and has yet to get on track at the dish. Since the trade, Slater is hitting just .154 with two hits in 13 at-bats.

The Reds could opt to send Will Benson to Triple-A when TJ Friedl returns from the IL

Benson has endured his fair share of struggles this season as well. Predicted by many to be an everyday player in manager David Bell's lineup, the former Cleveland farmhand has been reduced once again to a platoon player and is hitting just .190/.277/.380. According to Baseball Savant, Benson is among the worst in the league in strikeout rate (40.3%) and whiff rate (39.4%).

When Friedl returns, to the Reds lineup, Cincinnati will have a choice to make — DFA Slater or option Benson to Triple-A. It's really splitting hairs at the moment, and this week's performance could push one player ahead of the other.

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