Cincinnati Reds' infielder Eugenio Suarez and outfielder TJ Friedl will remain with the team after passing through outright waivers without being claimed. This development means both players' existing contracts will not be transferred to new clubs, and they are set to rejoin the Reds for their upcoming series against the Chicago Cubs.
The process of outright waivers allows teams to remove players from their 40-man roster. Had another team claimed Suarez or Friedl, that team would have been responsible for the remainder of the player's contract. However, as no claims were made, both athletes will continue their tenure with the Cincinnati organization.
Eugenio Suarez, 35, is currently playing under a one-year, $15 million contract signed in February. His performance this season includes a .208 batting average, 19 home runs, and 59 RBIs across 103 games. His OPS stands at .705, a decrease from his .824 mark last season, which he split between the Mariners and the Arizona Diamondbacks. Suarez boasts a career OPS of .787.
TJ Friedl, 31, in his inaugural season of arbitration eligibility, earns $3.8 million. Through 76 games, he has recorded a .258 batting average, three home runs, and 11 RBIs. His current OPS of .476 is notably lower than his career average of .724 over six seasons. Friedl is slated to remain under club control for two more seasons beyond the current one.
The successful clearing of waivers for both Suarez and Friedl provides clarity for the Reds' roster as they prepare to face the Chicago Cubs. Their continued presence offers depth and experience to the team, despite their statistical dips this season, and allows the club to maintain control over their contractual obligations.
