Cincinnati Reds injury news: TJ Friedl's ramp-up pushed back, Tejay Antone elbow repaired
CHICAGO – The Cincinnati Reds learned late in the week that they’ll likely be without their starting center fielder and ignitor for at least an additional week or two.
TJ Friedl’s followup MRI on Thursday didn’t show enough progress in the March 16 wrist fracture to clear him for the ramped-up level of activity he hoped to be starting this weekend.
“It’s healed, but I guess something was seen that makes the smart thing to do to wait another seven to 10 days,” manager David Bell said Friday, adding he expects another MRI for Friedl at that point.
Friedl, who headed to the team’s spring/rehab facility in Arizona to continue therapy and rehab when the team headed out for a weeklong road trip, can continue “lighter activity,” Bell said.
Reds White Sox commentary Wittenmyer & Williams: Cincinnati Reds on right track – at least compared to White Sox
Reds rainout The Reds' series finale vs. the Brewers gets rained out
Reds White Sox starting lineup Why Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell won't 'shake up' struggling middle of order
But the delay in starting the next level likely pushes Friedl’s timeline for a return to the team back into the original estimate of sometime closer to the middle of May, compared to the more optimistic, first-of-the-month possibility the team said was in play after the first follow-up or two.
Friedl, who was in good spirits about his progress during the recent homestand, said he refuses to think about return dates as he takes each part of the process as it comes.
Will Benson and Stuart Fairchild have handled shared starting duties well in center in Friedl’s absence.
Doc 'thrilled' after Antone surgery
Reds reliever TeJay Antone had the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow and the nearby flexor tendon surgically repaired Friday, and Bell said surgeon Timothy Kremchek was “thrilled with the outcome of it.”
It doesn’t change the timeline for Antone, who in 2017 and again in 2021 underwent Tommy John reconstructive surgery on the elbow. He’s expected to miss the rest of the season.
But Bell called the report from Kremchek “really encouraging. That was good news for our team today.”
What a relief
Right-hander Ian Gibaut (forearm) is scheduled to make back-to-back appearances Tuesday and Wednesday during his minor-league rehab assignment, after which he’ll be evaluated for a return to the Reds’ bullpen.
Lefty Sam Moll (shoulder) continues his minor-league rehab assignment Sunday as he nears a return to the Reds’ bullpen.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Friedl's return to Reds from injury pushed back to mid-May?
