Cincinnati Reds FINALLY Option TJ Friedl, Oswaldo Cabrera Added to Roster After New York Yankees DFA

Nick Kirby and Austin Layton discuss the Cincinnati Reds roster move on Saturday to demote TJ Friedl to AAA-Louisville and add utility player Oswaldo Cabrera to the MLB roster.

----------------------------

Reds Option TJ Friedl, Add Oswaldo Cabrera to MLB Roster

The Cincinnati Reds made a significant change to their outfield on Saturday, optioning TJ Friedl to Triple-A Louisville and adding newly acquired utility player Oswaldo Cabrera to the active roster.

Friedl’s demotion comes near the end of a frustrating season for the 31-year-old outfielder. After establishing himself as Cincinnati’s primary center fielder and leadoff hitter during the previous three seasons, Friedl struggled to produce consistently in 2026.

In 91 games, Friedl batted just .172 with four home runs and 13 RBIs. It was a steep decline from his breakout 2023 season, when he hit .279 with 18 home runs, 27 stolen bases and 66 RBIs while developing into one of the Reds’ most valuable position players.

Friedl’s combination of speed, defense and occasional power once made him an ideal fit at the top of Cincinnati’s lineup. His ability to work counts and create offense on the bases also helped compensate for a lineup that frequently lacked consistency. That version of Friedl, however, rarely appeared in 2026.

The Reds previously optioned Friedl to Louisville in June, giving him an opportunity to reset following a poor start. Although he performed well during his time in Triple-A and eventually returned to Cincinnati, the improvement did not carry over consistently against major-league pitching.

With the Reds eliminated from postseason contention, the decision is about more than finishing the final week of the schedule. Friedl has a career .246 average with 58 home runs and 214 RBIs across 552 major-league games, but his role entering 2027 is now uncertain. Cincinnati will need to determine whether his 2026 season was an outlier or evidence that it must find another answer in center field.

Replacing Friedl on the roster is Cabrera, whom the Reds claimed off waivers from the New York Yankees on Friday. The 27-year-old switch-hitter was designated for assignment when New York reinstated pitcher Clarke Schmidt from the 60-day injured list.

Cabrera appeared in only three games for the Yankees this season, going hitless in nine at-bats. He spent most of the year with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he batted .288 with 19 home runs and 69 RBIs in 122 games. That production earned him an opportunity to finish the season in Cincinnati and compete for a place in the organization’s 2027 plans.

Cabrera has played 304 major-league games since debuting with New York in 2022, producing a .232 batting average with 20 home runs and 95 RBIs. His offensive performance has been inconsistent, but his defensive versatility remains his most attractive quality.

During his Yankees career, Cabrera appeared at all four infield positions and both corner-outfield spots. He gives Cincinnati another switch-hitting option capable of moving around the diamond, potentially filling a bench role similar to the one Santiago Espinal has held.

The Reds should not view Cabrera as a guaranteed solution to their offensive problems. His career major-league numbers remain below average, and a productive Triple-A season does not ensure success against better pitching. Still, claiming him was a reasonable, low-risk opportunity for a team needing greater depth and flexibility.

Cincinnati will now have several games to evaluate Cabrera at the major-league level before beginning its offseason roster decisions. His versatility, remaining minor-league option and strong Triple-A season give the Reds reasons to keep him in the organization.

The move involving Friedl carries greater significance. What once appeared to be one of the most stable positions on Cincinnati’s roster has become another offseason question. Cabrera will receive the immediate opportunity, but the Reds’ search for dependable outfield production is likely only beginning.