Terry Francona may have accidentally hinted at another Reds injury blow

Terry Francona provided a vague update for injured outfielder TJ Friedl ahead of the Cincinnati Reds series finale against the Chicago White Sox. Francona told Cincinnati reporter Charlie Goldsmith, "He was just available to pinch run or go in for defense (yesterday). It’s more likely the same today. He’s going to grab a bat again and see how he feels. We’re trying to target tomorrow. That’s the hope."

Reds fans have heard this before. The same thing happened before both Austin Hays and Jeimer Candelario landed on the injured list. Hays (hamstring) and Candelario (back) were held out of the starting lineup for game or two only to be placed on the IL a few days later.

There's no such thing as "light duty" in Major League Baseball, but it would seem that the Reds are hoping that Friedl recovers quickly and is full-go by Friday's series opener against the Cleveland Guardians. That may be wishful thinking, and Friedl hitting the IL is the last thing Cincinnati needs at the moment.

Reds manager Terry Francona may have accidentally hinted that TJ Friedl is headed to the IL

Friedl suffered a bone bruise during a collision with infielder Elly De La Cruz on Tuesday night against the White Sox. Friedl was crashing in on a shallow fly ball to center field, and De La Cruz sprinted out from shortstop. The two players collided, and Friedl suffered the worst of it.

The Reds outfielder flipped over the top of De La Cruz as both players were sliding feet first, and when he finally came down, Friedl's right wrist crashed against the turf. He stayed in for a little longer, but was eventually lifted in favor of Will Benson.

The Reds are currently without Candelario, Noelvi Marte, Austin Callihan, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, and Jake Fraley. If Cincy loses Friedl to the IL, it's likely that one of Jacob Hurtubise or Blake Dunn would be recalled. In Frield's absence, Gavin Lux has been called upon to take over as the Reds leadoff hitter, while Benson mans center field.

The Reds are already operating somewhat shorthanded. Cincinnati is carrying three catchers (Tyler Stephenson, Jose Trevino, and Austin Wynns) and that factors in to late-game decision making. With Friedl unavailable to do anything other than pinch-run, the Reds bench is very thin heading into Thursday's series finale against the White Sox.

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