Suárez, Friedl back with Reds after clearing waivers

CHICAGO -- After going unclaimed and clearing outright waivers during Thursday's off-day, third baseman/designated hitter Eugenio Suárez was back to work Friday like it was any other game day. That's because the Reds were preparing to play a day game vs. the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

“I’ve got nothing to say about it," Suárez said. "It’s not part of my job. Whatever they decide to do, it’s their business. My business is to play baseball.”

Waivers are a confidential process, by league rules, but word leaked out late Wednesday night in a report from Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic that Suárez and outfielder TJ Friedl were put on waivers and available to any of the 29 teams.

President of baseball operations Nick Krall and general manager Brad Meador informed the players Thursday afternoon that they cleared waivers and would be with the club on Friday.

Krall declined to comment about the situation on Friday.

According to sources, placing the players on waivers had two objectives. First, it offers savings since Suárez has almost $3 million still owed from his one-year, $15 million contract while Friedl has about $700,000 left on his one-year $3.8 million contract that was agreed upon to avoid arbitration. The other reason is it gave them a chance to potentially get claimed by a contender that could get them into a playoff race.

“It’s supposed to be confidential. And for people that don’t keep it confidential, shame on them," manager Terry Francona said. "You’re in a spot of leadership for whatever organization, you need to respect that. And when it’s not respected, it kind of pisses me off.”

Suárez, 35, returned to the Reds as a free agent after being with the club from 2015-21. Coming off a 49-homer season, he has not replicated the success and entered Friday batting .208 with 19 homers and a .705 OPS in 103 games.

During Wednesday’s wild 10–9 win over the Giants, Suárez slugged a grand slam during a seven-run top of the ninth inning. He was pleased to remain with the Reds.

“Of course I’m happy to stay here," Suárez said. "I just got a call that I cleared waivers and I’m here with the team. That’s all that matters to me and everything else was fine.”

Meanwhile, Friedl is enduring the worst season of his career, batting .158 with three homers and a .476 OPS in 76 games. Friedl was sent to the Minor Leagues for nearly a month in June and currently plays sparingly after being Cincinnati's regular center fielder from 2022-25.

Suárez has a $16 million mutual option for 2027 while Friedl will still be under club control and eligible for arbitration, but neither player is likely to be back next season.

What does Suárez want to do with his final month of the 2026 season?

"Same. Play my game, do my best for the team, try to finish strong and go from there," Suárez said. "That’s my goal.”