It's been a tough season for Cincinnati Reds outfielder TJ Friedl.
After starting the year as the Opening Day leadoff man, Friedl has struggled at the plate. So much so that in recent weeks, Friedl has had trouble even cracking the starting lineup. On Wednesday, Friedl's issues came to a head as the Reds optioned him to Triple-A Louisville in hopes of a reset.
It is Friedl's first optional assignment to the minor leagues in nearly four years, and the first since the Reds recalled him in August 2022. Friedl had his breakout year in 2023, amassing 18 home runs and 27 stolen bases in 138 games. In 2024, Friedl missed chunks of time with injuries, but rebounded in 2025 with a .742 OPS and 14 home runs. Best of all, he stayed healthy, suiting up in 152 games as the team's everyday center fielder.
This year has been a major step back for Friedl, who just hasn't been able to get anything going offensively. Through 47 games, Friedl is slashing .179/.259/.256 with just a pair of home runs and five stolen bases. For the Reds, it was clear that Friedl was not contributing enough to a team that ranks eighth in MLB in home runs heading into Wednesday's action.
In a corresponding move, the Reds recalled former top prospect Noelvi Marte, who has had a similar career arc to Friedl. Marte exploded onto the scene in 2023, struggled in 2024, and rebounded in 2025. Last year for the Reds, Marte slashed .263/.300/.448, with 14 home runs, 51 RBI, and 10 stolen bases in 90 games.
Marte struggled in Spring Training this year and got off to an ice-cold start with the Reds, posting a .331 OPS in the first 11 games of the season. Since then, Marte has been red-hot at Triple-A Louisville, slashing .369/.409/.575 with eight home runs, 27 RBI, and nine stolen bases in 40 games.
The 24-year-old from the Dominican Republic has primarily played center field for Louisville, which makes him a perfect replacement for Friedl. He also has experience as a third baseman, which should come in handy for the Reds as they shuffle their infield around to account for Elly De La Cruz hitting the 10-Day IL with a hamstring injury on Tuesday.
Marte is not in the lineup on Wednesday for the Reds, but should be on Friday when Cincinnati starts its series on the road against the St. Louis Cardinals.
