Reds Clear Roster Spot With Friedl Move, Bring Up Spiers

The Cincinnati Reds made a pair of roster moves Wednesday, designating outfielder TJ Friedl for assignment while promoting right-hander Carson Spiers from Triple-A Louisville. The move creates the necessary 40-man roster spot for Spiers, who will join the big league pitching staff as the team navigates injuries down the stretch.

Spiers takes the roster spot vacated by Chase Burns, who landed on the 15-day injured list with a right groin strain. The injury was retroactive to September 19th, meaning Burns has been sidelined for several days already. For a pitching staff already managing various depth issues, getting a fresh arm from the minors helps provide insurance as the season enters its final weeks.

Friedl's designation ends his time with the Reds organization for now, at least in terms of his major league eligibility. The outfielder had been part of Cincinnati's roster picture but apparently fell out of the plans as the team evaluates its lineup heading into October. It's unclear whether Friedl will clear waivers or if another team might claim him, but the Reds clearly felt they needed the roster flexibility more than his bat.

From a roster management standpoint, Cincinnati is dealing with the typical September juggling act—injuries, depth concerns, and the need to see which pieces fit the long-term puzzle. Getting a young pitcher a chance in the majors, even in limited circumstances, gives the organization a chance to evaluate talent for future seasons.

Source: original report ↗