TJ Friedl DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Cincinnati Reds outfielder TJ Friedl (wrist) is back in center field and is hitting leadoff for Friday's series opener against the visiting Cleveland Guardians at Great American Ball Park. Friedl suffered a bone bruise in his right wrist during a fall on a collision with teammate Elly De La Cruz on Tuesday and missed the last two games as a result. But the 29-year-old is back in there on Friday and will face Guardians right-hander Tanner Bibee, who he has hit .400 against with a .900 OPS in a small sample size of five career at-bats. He doesn't have a ton of power but has been a steady contributor as Cincy's starting center fielder in 2025, slashing .274/.359/.382 with three long balls, 17 RBI, 23 runs scored and eight stolen bases. Friedl is most useful for his runs and speed in deep-mixed leagues. He's hit .270 (10-for-37) in 12 games in May with two homers, five RBI and three steals.

Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that outfielder TJ Friedl (wrist) was just available to pinch run or go in for defense on Wednesday against the Chicago White Sox, and that will likely be the case again for Thursday's series finale. Friedl is going to grab a bat again to see how he feels, but Francona said the team is hoping he'll be ready to return for Friday's series opener against the Cleveland Guardians. The 29-year-old is dealing with a bone bruise in his right wrist that he suffered on a collision with teammate Elly De La Cruz on Tuesday. Will Benson is starting in center field again on Thursday and will hit sixth against White So right-hander Bryse Wilson. In his third start of 2025 on Wednesday, Benson went 1-for-3 with a double and a walk in the 4-2 loss. The left-handed hitter has faced Wilson eight times in his career and is hitting .125 with a homer and two RBI.

Cincinnati Reds outfielder TJ Friedl (wrist) is not in the team's starting lineup on Wednesday against the visiting Chicago White Sox at Great American Ball Park after suffering a right-wrist bone bruise when he fell on Tuesday during a collision with teammate Elly De La Cruz. The left-handed-hitting Will Benson will start in center field and bat seventh against White Sox right-hander Davis Martin. Fantasy managers should consider Friedl to be day-to-day for now and check to see if he's able to return to the starting lineup for Thursday's series finale against the Pale Hose. Benson was recently called up from Triple-A Louisville and will return to the big leagues after going 2-for-12 earlier in the season with an RBI, steal, one walk and five strikeouts in four games. Benson is a streaky hitter with limited DFS upside near the bottom of the batting order against a pitcher he has yet to face in his career.