The Reds introduced earlier as we speak that they’ve positioned left-hander Brent Suter on the 15-day IL on account of a partial tear of his left teres main muscle. As famous by Gordon Wittenmeyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer, the membership had at the very least some concern that the damage would show severe sufficient that Suter can be out for the rest of the 2024 marketing campaign. Happily, Suter himself advised reporters (together with these at Bally Sports activities Cincinnati) that his present timeline will not be fairly that bleak. The lefty’s anticipated shutdown time is between 4 and 6 weeks, although he’ll after all should construct again as much as game-ready type after that.
Whereas that timeline leaves the door open for Suter to return someday in September, the information is nonetheless a significant blow to the Reds’ aid corps. The bullpen has been a significant power for Cincinnati this 12 months, because the membership’s 3.44 collective bullpen ERA is the sixth-best determine within the majors whereas their 3.65 FIP ranks seventh. Suter has been an enormous a part of that success because the 34-year-old has posted a strong 3.68 ERA in a whopping 51 1/3 innings of labor this 12 months. Which means Suter has accounted for slightly below 15% of the overall innings thrown by the Reds bullpen this 12 months, an innings whole that leads the group.
With each Suter and right-hander Carson Spiers having just lately hit the IL in Cincinnati, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the membership pursue bullpen reinforcements within the coming weeks. Reds brass indicated earlier this month that they had not but dedicated to a technique for the commerce deadline this 12 months, although it’s value noting that the membership did swing a commerce for outfielder Austin Slater simply days after these feedback, suggesting an openness to including to the large league roster on at the very least some stage. A take a look at MLBTR’s High 50 Commerce Candidates For The 2024 MLB Commerce Deadline reveals a lot of attention-grabbing aid arms out there, starting from star A’s rookie Mason Miller to White Sox reclamation undertaking Michael Kopech.
The Slater deal isn’t the one indication that the Reds may very well be wanting so as to add this summer season. In keeping with Wittenmeyer, the membership “touched base” relating to Blue Jays middle fielder Kevin Kiermaier when the membership put him on waivers earlier this month, although after all no deal has come collectively thus far. Kiermaier would provide the Reds a top quality defensive middle fielder who might act as a lefty platoon choice for right-handed bats Slater and Stuart Fairchild, though it’s value noting that Kiermaier has struggled badly (53 wRC+) on the plate this 12 months. A stronger offensive match Wittenmeyer suggests for the Reds can be Nationals outfielder Lane Thomas, although he cautions that such a match would rely on the value of buying 28-year-old.
Whereas the Reds’ dearth of high quality choices within the outfield makes it an simply identifiable place the place the membership might enhance its inventory this summer season, they might be on the verge of including affect to the outfield combine internally. In keeping with MLB.com’s Damage Tracker, middle fielder TJ Friedl is slated to go out for a minor league rehab project tomorrow with the hope of returning to the lineup in Cincinnati for this weekend’s collection towards the Rays. Friedl has been restricted to simply 26 video games by accidents this 12 months however is just one season faraway from a 4-win marketing campaign in 2023 the place he posted a powerful 116 wRC+ whereas slugging 18 dwelling runs, stealing 27 bases, and enjoying sturdy protection in middle throughout 138 video games. That 20/30 potential in middle discipline is tantalizing, and it’s simple to see how Friedl might assist to remodel the membership’s outfield combine if he’s lastly wholesome after coping with a fractured wrist and a hamstring pressure this 12 months.
