Cincinnati Reds Place Eugenio Suárez & TJ Friedl on Waivers — What It Means

Nick Kirby breaks down the news that the Cincinnati Reds have placed Eugenio Suárez and TJ Friedl on outright waivers, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

MLB teams have 48 hours to claim Suárez for just under $3 million and/or Friedl for slightly more than $700,000. Nick discusses why the Reds made these moves, the likelihood that both players clear waivers and what it could mean for their futures in Cincinnati.

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Reds Place Eugenio Suárez, TJ Friedl on Waivers Following Historic Comeback

The Cincinnati Reds’ season took another unexpected turn Wednesday night when Eugenio Suárez and TJ Friedl were placed on outright waivers, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

All 29 teams will have 48 hours to claim either player and assume the remainder of his contract. Suárez is owed just under $3 million for the rest of the season, while Friedl is owed around $700,000. Both players can remain active for the Reds while the waiver process plays out.

Rosenthal reported that neither player generated significant interest before the trade deadline and both are expected to clear waivers. If that happens, Cincinnati can retain their rights. The move appears to give the Reds an opportunity to shed salary while allowing either veteran to potentially join a postseason contender before the Aug. 31 eligibility deadline. ([Sportsnet.ca][1])

Suárez’s placement on waivers came only hours after he delivered one of the biggest swings of Cincinnati’s season.

The Reds entered the ninth inning of Wednesday’s series finale against the San Francisco Giants trailing 9-3. Rookie Héctor Rodríguez opened the inning by launching his second home run of the game into McCovey Cove. After the Reds loaded the bases with nobody out, Suárez crushed a grand slam to pull Cincinnati within one run.

Dane Myers followed with a bunt single and advanced on a throwing error. Matt McLain then dropped another bunt single before stealing second base. José Trevino’s sacrifice fly tied the game, and Tyler Stephenson completed the improbable comeback with a go-ahead RBI single.

Emilio Pagán worked a scoreless bottom of the ninth to secure the 10-9 victory and his 17th save. It was the first time the Reds had won a game after trailing by six runs entering the ninth inning since May 8, 1958. Cincinnati had scored only four runs over the first 26 innings of the series before erupting for seven in its final trip to the plate. ([Reuters][2])

Rodríguez finished with three hits and two home runs after manager Terry Francona moved him into the leadoff spot for the first time. Elly De La Cruz and Myers also collected three hits. The performance was an encouraging development for Rodríguez and a Reds offense that had been held to one run or fewer in nine of its previous 17 games. ([mlb.com][3])

Despite the dramatic win, Cincinnati remains at the bottom of the National League Central with a 63-71 record. The Reds are nine games out of the final National League Wild Card position with only 28 games remaining.

In other injury news, Brady Singer expects to make his next scheduled start after experiencing soreness around his ribs and hip during Tuesday’s loss. Singer was injured while attempting to field a ground ball but remained in the game and completed 5.2 innings. He played catch Wednesday without any obvious problems and is scheduled to face the San Diego Padres on Monday. ([mlb.com][4])

Graham Ashcraft has also started a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville after missing nearly three months with a right UCL sprain. Ashcraft threw a scoreless inning Tuesday and is scheduled to pitch again Friday and Sunday. Meanwhile, Michael Toglia’s season is over because of a dislocated shoulder and torn labrum, while Spencer Steer is increasingly unlikely to return from his wrist injury this year. ([mlb.com][5])

After Thursday’s off day, the Reds will open a three-game weekend series against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.