The Reds today signed a left-hander. Brent Suter He was placed on the 15-day anti-retrograde list due to a partial tear of the left teres major muscle. Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati EnquirerInitially, the club was concerned that Suter would suffer an injury severe enough to force him to miss the remainder of the 2024 season. Fortunately, Suter himself spoke to reporters ( Bally Sports Cincinnati), his current timeline doesn’t seem so dire: The left-hander is expected to rest four to six weeks, after which he’ll of course need to recover to a point where he’s game-ready.
While that timeline leaves open the possibility of Suter returning sometime in September, the news is still a big blow to the Reds’ relievers. They’ve been a big strength for Cincinnati this year, with the team’s relievers posting a 3.44 ERA that’s sixth in the majors and a 3.65 FIP that’s seventh. Suter has been a big part of that success, with the 34-year-old posting a solid 3.68 ERA in an astounding 51 1/3 innings this year. That means Suter has accounted for just under 15% of the innings pitched by Reds relievers this year, besting the team.
Both Suter and Right-Handed Carson Spiers With Cincinnati recently having him on the disabled list, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the team were to look to bolster its bullpen in the coming weeks. Shown Earlier this month, they had not yet decided on a strategy for this year’s trade deadline, but the club Swing Trades For outfielders Austin Slater Those comments came just days after he expressed at least some openness to adding players to major league rosters. MLBTR’s Top 50 Trade Potential for the 2024 MLB Trade Deadline Star A rookies have revealed a number of intriguing relief pitchers. Mason Miller White Sox Revitalization Project Michael Kopech.
Slater’s signing is not the only sign that the Reds are looking to strengthen their squad this summer. According to Wittenmeyerthe team “contacted” the Blue Jays about the center fielder. Kevin Kiermaier The club Make him exempt The deal was finalized earlier this month, but of course it’s still not finalized at this point. Kiermaier would provide the Reds with a good defensive center fielder who could serve as a platoon option for the left-handed hitter with the right-handed hitter Slater. Stuart FairchildIt’s worth noting, however, that Kiermaier has struggled hitting this year (53 wRC+), and the Nationals outfielder Wittenmaier would suggest would be a better offensive fit for the Reds. Lane ThomasHowever, he cautions that any such fit would depend on the price tag for the 28-year-old.
The Reds’ lack of quality players in the outfield makes them an easy target to identify as a place the club could improve their valuation this summer, but they may be on the verge of making an impact in their outfield ranks internally. MLB.com injury trackerCenter Fielder TJ Friedl Friedl is scheduled to depart tomorrow for a minor league rehab assignment, hoping to return to the lineup in Cincinnati for this weekend’s series against the Rays. Friedl has appeared in just 26 games this year due to injury, but is just one season removed from a four-win season in 2023. That season saw him post a strong 116 wRC+ while hitting 18 home runs, stealing 27 bases and displaying solid defense as a center fielder in 138 games. His 20/30 potential in center field is enticing, and it’s easy to see Friedl being able to help change up the team’s outfield makeup if he finally gets healthy after battling a broken wrist and a torn hamstring this year.
