Cincinnati Reds heart fielder TJ Friedl will miss the start of the common season after struggling a non-displaced fracture in his proper wrist, according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. Friedl, who suffered the damage on a diving seize on Saturday, can be reexamined in three to 4 weeks. It stands to purpose that he’ll require extra time on prime of that to get again into sport form earlier than rejoining the big-league lineup. 

Friedl, 28, loved a breakout season final 12 months. He hit .279/.352/.467 (118 OPS+) with 18 dwelling runs and 27 stolen bases over 138 video games. These contributions had been estimated to be value 3.8 Wins Above Alternative, per the calculations at Baseball Reference. In flip, Friedl earned down poll consideration for the Nationwide League Most Invaluable Participant Award, tying him for twenty third with Nick Castellanos, Zac Gallen, and Christian Walker. 

It is but to be seen who the Reds flip to in heart discipline throughout Friedl’s absence. The highest inside candidate would appear to be Stuart Fairchild, who acquired 17 begins there in 2023. Fairchild is with out choices and was slated to be a part of their bench unit anyway, having posted a 90 OPS+ final season on the big-league stage in 255 journeys to the plate. The Reds do have a couple of different choices on their 40-player roster they may use to backfill Fairchild’s spot on the bench, together with Jacob Hurtubise, Nick Martini and Bubba Thompson.

Friedl is the second Reds starter to be scratched from their early season plans. Projected third baseman Noelvi Marte, one of many prime prospects within the sport, was lately suspended for 80 video games after failing a take a look at for performance-enhancing medicine.

The Reds are slated to start their season on March 28 in opposition to the Washington Nationals.