Outfielder TJ Friedl, a certified clubhouse favorite for the Cincinnati Reds, cleared waivers and accepted an assignment that remarkably keeps him right there in the organization. It’s wild because the weekend’s designation for assignment, the DFA, definitely felt like the end of his 11-year relationship with the club.
The ‘Paper Move’ That No One Saw Coming
Friedl accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Louisville, a transaction being called a “paper move.” Louisville already wrapped up their season over the weekend, so this isn’t about playing time in the immediate future. What it *is* about is keeping a veteran, a guy who’s been with the organization for over a decade, within their system. Apparently, no one was willing to pick him up off waivers, which is a shocker for a player with his history and clubhouse standing. This whole thing keeps him tied to the Reds, just off the big league roster for now.
What’s Next For Friedl and the Reds?
While Friedl’s situation sorts itself out within the organization, the big club just took an 8-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers last Thursday, September 17, 2026, at Great American Ball Park. That wasn’t just any loss either; the Dodgers officially clinched the title to the NLS division in that game. Reds pitcher Brady Singer threw a pitch, Luis Mey pitched, and Tony Santillan threw one too. Graham Ashcraft even connected for a two-run homer. Friedl himself struck out in the bottom third inning during that matchup. It’s a tough break for the team as they finish out the season, but for Friedl, staying in the system offers a glimmer of hope for future call-ups. What happens next for the longtime Red? We’re all watching to see if this “paper move” leads to another chapter on the big league squad.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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