Reds Place Jake Fraley On 10-Day Injured Checklist

The Reds positioned outfielder Jake Fraley on the 10-day injured listing on account of a stress fracture in his left fourth toe.  The membership additionally introduced that outfielder TJ Hopkins was known as up from Triple-A, and that right-hander Lyon Richardson was added to the taxi squad upfront of his deliberate begin on Sunday.

The IL placement is retroactive to August 4, as Fraley didn’t play in Cincinnati’s 6-3 loss to Washington yesterday.  The character and severity of the harm isn’t but identified, however it could definitely look like Fraley will miss nicely past 10 days, leaving a notable gap within the Reds lineup.  That is the second straight yr that Fraley has been sidelined by a toe harm, as whereas rehabbing a knee harm in 2022, his time on the IL was prolonged on account of a toe concern suffered throughout rehab.

Between the accidents and the truth that the Reds use Fraley virtually solely towards right-handed pitching, he has performed in solely 160 video games since Cincinnati acquired the outfielder as a part of the Eugenio Suarez/Jesse Winker commerce with the Mariners in March 2022.  When he has been capable of play, nevertheless, Fraley has been a productive bat, hitting .261/.345/.467 with 27 homers over 574 plate appearances — that works out to a 116 wRC+ over primarily the equal of 1 full season.  Taking part in each nook outfield positions, Fraley has been a really helpful platoon possibility for the Reds to combine and match of their outfield.

Hopkins has a .367 OPS over 25 PA in his rookie season, plus as a right-handed bat, he’s an imperfect fill-in possibility for Fraley’s particular function.  Nick Senzel and Stuart Fairchild (additionally right-handed hitters) determine to get extra enjoying time in Fraley’s absence, or the Reds may proceed to offer Spencer Steer common appears to be like in left area.

As a lot because the Reds’ inflow of younger expertise was seemingly going to create a crunch for taking part in time, accidents have now offered an unlucky answer to that concern.  Fraley joins Jonathan India on the 10-day IL, and whereas India was not less than hopeful of a fast return, Cincinnati is now lacking two skilled bats within the midst of a playoff race.  The Reds are on a four-game shedding streak, and are 9-12 for the reason that All-Star break.