Reds send struggling Friedl to Triple-A, recall Marte

CINCINNATI – Struggles at the plate prompted the move of outfielder TJ Friedl from lineup regular to role player and then, on Wednesday, back to the Minor Leagues. The Reds have optioned Friedl to Triple-A Louisville and recalled outfielder Noelvi Marte.

For Friedl, it marks the first time he's been sent down to Triple-A -- excluding a rehab assignment -- since 2022.

“It’ll give him a chance to play every day and try to kind of rediscover being Friedl," manager Terry Francona said. "He’s not that far removed from being our leadoff hitter and everyday center fielder. He’s kind of fallen on some tough times. It was very difficult. We labored over it. He is an unbelievable teammate, an unbelievable kid. We just think this gives him the best chance to find himself.”

The 30-year-old Friedl, who started 150 games last season in the leadoff spot, never got going offensively this season. In 47 games for Cincinnati, he is batting .179 with a .515 OPS and two home runs.

Friedl was initially moved from the leadoff spot to the bottom of the order but had been relegated to a bench role for the past couple of weeks. During the 10th inning of Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Royals, he was called on to pinch hit and sacrifice bunt to move the automatic runner from second base to third base, but he fouled off his attempt before later striking out.

After the game, Francona and the club informed Friedl that he was being demoted.

“He even owned up. He said, ‘It’s hard for me to sit on the bench trying to find myself.’ I had kind of told him the same thing," Francona said. "He was as respectful and conscientious as you would expect him to be. There’ll be nobody rooting for him more than me, I guarantee that."

Marte was on the Opening Day roster and expected to be the regular right fielder, but he struggled while batting .138 with a .331 OPS in 11 games before being optioned to Louisville on April 13.

Back in Triple-A, Marte seemed to find his swing again, batting .369 with a .984 OPS, eight homers and 27 RBIs in 40 games. If he follows a similar pattern to last season, when he was also sent down and brought back, his return could be a boost for the Reds' offense.

“He’s been sent back a couple of times, and both times he’s responded by playing really well. That’s what you’d love to see," Francona said.

Marte, 24, focused on finding consistency at the plate and keeping his approach the same with each plate appearance.

“That was really important for me," Marte said via translator Tomas Vera. "My plan was to stay on the pitch I was looking for and the pitch that I like. If I see what I like, I’m going to be ready, and I’m going to hit. I’m going to swing it hard. That’s what changed for me.”

Marte felt that his efforts at improvement really kicked in during a mid-May series vs. Indianapolis. In that six-game set, he went 9-for-25 (.360) with a pair of home runs.

“When I finished that series, I felt, ‘Man, I’m ready. I’m back.’ That series was key for me," he said.

Marte, known for a Sept. 25 season-saving catch in the ninth inning that robbed the Pirates of a home run to right field last season, played a majority of his games for Louisville in center field.

Although not in Wednesday's starting lineup, Marte will see action for the Reds in both right field and center field.

“He’ll play and we’ll see where it fits," Francona said.