Injuries & Moves: Friedl leaves after pitch hits hand
LATEST NEWS
May 12: OF TJ Friedl exits after HBP on left hand
Friedl took a 90.6 mph four-seamer from Giants starter Kyle Harrison off his left thumb on the first pitch of Sunday's series finale. He stayed down for a while, cradling his hand, before getting up and walking to first base with a trainer. After a lengthy discussion, Friedl initially remained in the game. He stole second base and advanced to third on a throwing error before eventually scoring on Jeimer Candelario's bases-clearing double.
Friedl was then removed from the game in the bottom of the first inning, with Stuart Fairchild sliding over to center field to replace him and Will Benson entering the game in right. The Reds announced Friedl's injury as a left thumb contusion. X-rays on the thumb came back inconclusive, per the team, and Friedl will get additional imaging done when he sees a hand specialist on Monday in Arizona.
10-DAY/15-DAY IL
1B Christian Encarnacion-Strand (right hand fracture)
Expected return: June
Encarnacion-Strand was diagnosed with a right ulnar styloid fracture on the inside of his hand near his wrist on May 8. It happened from being hit by a pitch on April 27 at Texas, and the fracture did not show up on an initial X-rays. He was expected to miss four to six weeks and be examined again in three weeks (Last updated: May 8)
60-DAY IL
LHP Alex Young (low back disk degeneration)
Expected return: Late May
Young has continued to build up since beginning a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on May 2. The additional steps Young must take before he's ready to return include pitching on back-to-back days, which he had yet to do as of May 12, and possibly tossing multiple innings in an appearance, manager David Bell said. Young dealt with a back injury during Spring Training and made just one appearance on March 12, so he will need time to build back up. Young was transferred to the 60-day IL on April 24. (Last updated: May 12)
LHP Brandon Williamson (left shoulder strain)
Expected return: Late May
Williamson is getting close to beginning a rehab assignment, and he's scheduled to report to High-A Dayton early in the week of May 13, manager David Bell said. The team is targeting the end of May for his return. (Last updated: May 10)
2B Matt McLain (left shoulder surgery)
Expected return: Possibly second half
Six weeks removed from shoulder surgery, McLain was cleared to resume throwing and running. He might be able to start swinging a bat in an additional six weeks, which he said would help determine a clearer timeline for his rehab. Both McLain and manager David Bell reaffirmed that the goal is for McLain to return this season. (Last updated: May 10)
RHP Ian Gibaut (right forearm strain)
Expected return: Later in 2024
Gibaut, who was transferred to the 60-day IL on May 7, underwent surgery on May 9 to relieve a compression in a forearm nerve -- called the Anterior Interosseous Nerve or AIN -- and although there were no immediate specifics, he was expected to require an extended recovery time. However, manager David Bell noted that Gibaut was expected to be able to pitch at some point this season. The club officially halted Gibaut’s rehab assignment for a second time after he reported feeling discomfort in his right forearm during his April 26 appearance with Triple-A Louisville. (Last updated: May 9)
RHP Tejay Antone (right elbow surgery)
Expected return: 2025
Antone was moved to the 60-day IL on April 19 after he had right elbow and arm surgery on April 12 that repaired tears in his ulnar collateral ligament and flexor mass tendon. It was performed in Cincinnati by team orthopedic surgeon Dr. Timothy Kremchek. Antone, 30, has a 2.47 ERA over 45 big league games since 2020. (Last updated: April 19)