UPDATE: In a surprising move, the Cincinnati Reds have designated fan favorite Jake Fraley for assignment as of July 16, 2023. This decision comes in light of catcher Tyler Stephenson‘s ongoing thumb injury and a depleted bench. The Reds are also recalling right-hander Connor Phillips and outfielder Will Benson from Triple-A Louisville while optioning left-hander Joe La Sorsa to the same team.
Reds manager Terry Francona expressed the difficulty of the decision, stating, “Not that I needed an excuse to lose sleep last night, but you do, because you’re thinking about it. You’re making decisions that alter their life.” This reflects the emotional weight behind the move, especially as Fraley has become a beloved player among fans and teammates.
Fraley, 30, has had a challenging season, batting .232 with six home runs and 23 RBIs over 67 games. His recent struggles were highlighted by a knee hyperextension during a loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, where an error allowed a critical run to score in the 10th inning. Despite this, Francona confirmed that the misplay or injury were not the reasons for the DFA.
Stephenson’s condition remains a concern. He has been day-to-day after aggravating an injury to his left thumb during the recent series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. In his absence, catcher Jose Trevino stepped in for Sunday’s game, emphasizing the urgency for the Reds to bolster their roster.
As of now, Cincinnati stands as the only team this season that has not been swept in a series, but they have dropped the first two games against the Brewers, who are currently riding a remarkable 14-game winning streak. The Reds face pressure to regroup quickly as they navigate this pivotal point in the season.
Next, fans will be watching closely to see how the Reds adapt to these roster changes and whether Stephenson can recover swiftly. With the stakes higher than ever, every game counts in their quest for playoff contention. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
