This story was excerpted from Mark Sheldon’s Reds Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

CINCINNATI -- If the Reds were out of contention and just playing out the final month of the 2023 season, it's likely we would have already seen outfielder Jake Fraley's final at-bat of the year. But Cincinnati is still hanging in there for a postseason chase and Fraley wants to be part of it.

Fraley missed 24 games with a stress fracture in the fourth toe of his left foot. It still isn't fully healed, but he returned from the injured list ahead of Friday's doubleheader vs. the Cubs. Team doctors approved letting him play, even if there is still discomfort.

"If there is any silver lining, this happening at this point of the year is a blessing in the sense that it allows me the opportunity to play through," Fraley said. "It’d be a lot different if it was in April and you have the whole season ahead of you. At that point, it’s probably not a good idea.

"It’s something that we all felt like as long as your body can tolerate it, we can give it a shot."

If there was no chance at the playoffs for the Reds, Fraley would likely have opted for surgery. Now, he will have that procedure after the season. The Reds, who slumped their way through August -- partly because of numerous injuries to the lineup -- could use his left-handed bat.

“It’s been manageable. I’ve been able to hit with no pain," said Fraley, who had a two-game rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville before his activation. "I have a little bit of discomfort with certain things, which I knew was going to happen given the nature of what has happened. Other than that, it’s been good.”

To keep him from being on his feet too much, Fraley is limited to designated hitter duty and likely won't play every day initially. If the toe shows improvement and he can tolerate some pain, he might eventually play in the field again this season.

Fraley contributed three hits in his first start back on Friday night, a 3-2 win over the Cubs.

"I’m not going to be in that normal almost-everyday-role that I’m usually in for obvious reasons. It’s not smart," Fraley said. "I know it sucks to hear for myself … I just want to be in a place where I can provide -- even if it’s just a little bit -- to help support this team and get us to where we think we can be at the end of the year."