TJ Friedl's rookie season ends early after exiting Reds game with hamstring injury

TJ Friedl impressed in his latest stint in the big leagues, firmly in the Cincinnati Reds’ outfield mix for spring training next year, but his season came to a disappointing end.

Friedl exited Monday’s game against the Chicago Cubs in the third inning after injuring his right hamstring as he attempted to steal third base. Friedl immediately grabbed at the back of his leg and Reds third-base coach J.R. House signaled for a trainer.

Unable to put much weight on his right leg, Friedl was helped off the field by Manager David Bell and assistant trainer Tomas Vera. Friedl will undergo an MRI exam on Tuesday to determine the severity.

“This is my first hamstring incident ever,” said Friedl, who felt pain in his hamstring when he dove into third base and pushed off his right leg. “I wasn’t really sure what happened in the moment.”

Friedl, who won’t play in the last two games of the season, ended his rookie season with a .240 batting average, .314 on-base percentage, eight homers, 25 RBI and 33 runs in 79 games. He was optioned from the major leagues to Triple-A four times this year.

Following a demotion to the minors in mid-June, Friedl unlocked some power with a swing adjustment. Returning to the majors in mid-August, he’s been a different hitter. Friedl produced a .267 batting average with eight homers, six doubles and three triples in his last 43 games.

He had the seventh-highest slugging percentage in the National League since Aug. 16, the day of his latest promotion, which is incredible for a guy who is known much more for his speed.

“It’s not how I envisioned things coming to an end,” Friedl said. “Put things in perspective, I’m glad I could do what I did when I came up here. Hopefully, it’s nothing serious, nothing too bad. We’ll go from there.”

Friedl received more playing time after the Reds traded two outfielders at the trade deadline, Tommy Pham and Tyler Naquin, and the 27-year-old left-handed hitter should compete for a starting spot next season.

“It meant a lot to me after my first stint not really doing my best,” Friedl said. “I came back up here wanting to play my game and be myself, which I’ve always said. Just go out there and help the team win, play my game and help in any way I can.”

Run scores on wacky ending in Reds-Cubs game

When the Great American Ball Park fireworks were shooting off and the Cincinnati Reds were walking through their postgame handshake line Monday, there was still some uncertainty about the score.

“We were celebrating a shutout in there,” Reds Manager David Bell said. “Kind of an odd way to end the game, but we’ll definitely take it.”

Protecting a three-run lead, Alexis Díaz faced Ian Happ with runners on the corners and one out in the top of the ninth inning. Happ hit a potential double-play grounder to second base, and shortstop Jose Barrero’s throw to first base beat Happ by a half-step.

As the crowd celebrated, Reds first baseman Donovan Solano noticed second-base umpire Ryan Wills ruled Barrero didn’t touch second base on the attempted double play. Esteban Quiroz, the runner at first, didn’t realize the umpire ruled him safe after he slid short of the bag. Solano threw the ball back to Barrero, who put a tag on Quiroz for the game’s final out.

As a result of the wacky play, the run scored before Barrero tagged Quiroz to spoil the shutout.

“That was odd,” Bell said. “As a runner, you think you’re out. But a good reminder with replay now and everything. The umpire made a good call. Jose was off the base. It was a good heads up play to tag the runner as quick as he could.”

Reds prospects begin play in Arizona Fall League

Seven Reds prospects began play in the Arizona Fall League on Monday, and they had four players participate in the season opener.

Noelvi Marte, acquired in the Luis Castillo trade from Seattle, went 1-for-5 and played third base. Matt McLain, the club’s first-round pick in 2021, went 0-for-3 with two walks while playing shortstop. Right fielder Rece Hinds went 1-for-4 with a double and right-hander Sam Benschoter pitched two scoreless innings out of the bullpen.