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Reds finally option struggling outfielder, recall .984 OPS prospect

Reds finally option struggling outfielder, recall .984 OPS prospect originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Cincinnati Reds are 31-29, sitting in last place in the NL Central, and 7.0 games back of the division lead. But, they're still very much in the playoff hunt this season.

In order to make the postseason from their current position, the Reds need to get better, and they're doing so by making a roster move ahead of their series finale against the Kansas City Royals.

The Reds announced on Wednesday that they are calling up a prospect who has a .984 OPS in Noelvi Marte, and to make room, they're optioning TJ Friedl to Triple-A amid his massive struggles.

Reds option TJ Friedl, recall Noelvi Marte

"The Reds today recalled from Triple-A Louisville OF Noelvi Marte and optioned to Louisville OF TJ Friedl (post-game 6/2)," the Reds announced.

This roster move from the Reds was a long-time coming. Friedl, one year removed from posting a 103 OPS+ and 2.4 bWAR in 152 games, has been struggling mightily.

Across 47 games and 156 at-bats in 2026, Friedl has a brutal -0.6 bWAR to go with a 43 OPS+. He has a .515 OPS, which is the worst of his big league career by far.

His .179 batting average is also in a terrible spot, and overall, his struggles have made him one of the least valuable players in the sport this season.

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After such a rough start to the season, the Reds are finally making a switch, turning to Marte, the 24-year-old outfielder who's been tearing it up at Triple-A this season.

In 160 at-bats, he has a .369 batting average, eight home runs, 27 RBIs, nine stolen bases, and a ridiculous .984 OPS.

While he hit .138 earlier this year in the Majors with a .332 OPS, his .748 OPS last season with 14 homers in 339 at-bats is something to be optimistic about.

Adding Marte is worth a try, as Friedl wasn't giving the Reds any positives this season. Marte has some potential and will likely be a better option than Friedl going forward this season.