Reds sent TJ Friedl a message that could be the wake up call Matt McLain needs

TJ Friedl's fall from grace has been well documented this year, but it still hit hard when the Cincinnati Reds finally made the decision to demote him to Triple-A in order to make room for Noelvi Marte on the active roster.

Friedl simply wasn't hitting, and his middling defense in the outfield made him a superfluous member of a team that already employs Blake Dunn, JJ Bleday, Will Benson, Dane Myers, Spencer Steer, and now, Marte.

Still, his trip back to the minor leagues is a potent reminder that baseball is a 'what have you done for me lately' sport. Friedl was a tremendous asset as the Reds' leadoff hitter a year ago and a well-respected member of the clubhouse. But poor play eventually forces the hands of the decision makers in the front office.

That last statement is a rather foreboding warning to Matt McLain in particular, who should be feeling rather threatened at the moment now that top prospect Edwin Arroyo is in Cincinnati.

Matt McLain faces do-or-die month with Reds while Elly De La Cruz recovers from injury

Arroyo has been the primary second baseman since debuting earlier this week, pushing McLain over to shortstop. That setup will work while Elly De La Cruz recovers from a hamstring strain, but it's clear that the McLain is working on borrowed time these days.

Like Friedl in 2025, McLain was a revelation a few years ago, bursting onto the scene as a rookie while hitting .290/.357/.507 and playing excellent defense in the middle o f the infield. His 3.2 fWAR was among the best totals on the team and good enough to earn him a top-five finish in NL Rookie of the Year voting.

Unfortunately, that was back in 2023. Since then, McLain has missed an entire campaign due to a shoulder injury and has faltered at the plate. The 26-year-old posted a subpar 77 wRC+ last year, though he maintained enough brilliance with his glove to remain a positive asset.

Here in 2026, his defense remains strong, though far from the sterling levels he's displayed in the past. His offensive production has also slipped even further, culminating in career-low OPS (.617) and wRC+ (73) figures. Considering that he's produced those numbers while improving his walk and strikeout rates, it's clear that something is broken with his swing that may require more than just a small tweak.

It wouldn't be unheard of to give a young player the chance to iron out the kinks in Triple-A, but McLain doesn't really have that luxury right now. De La Cruz is due back some time in late June, meaning he's only got three or so weeks to outperform Arroyo and keep his spot on the roster.

Friedl's demotion was a clear sign that the front office isn't taking anything for granted this year. If McLain wants to be a part of the Reds' playoff push, he needs to do more than just survive of three-year-old goodwill.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow