New MLB Rumors Update Eugenio Suarez, T.J. Friedl's Status with Reds After Being Placed on Waivers

Having struggled throughout the 2026 season thus far, the Cincinnati Reds gave a couple of veterans a chance to land elsewhere to finish the season.

However, both third baseman/designated hitter Eugenio Suárez and outfielder T.J. Friedl have cleared waivers and will remain with the team, according to The Athletic's C. Trent Rosecrans.

Cincinnati placed both players on outright waivers on Wednesday, giving the other 29 teams a chance to claim either player by taking on the remaining portion of their salaries.

Suárez is owed just less than $3 million for the rest of the season while Friedl is owed just more than $700,000. Suarez signed a one-year, $15 million contract to return to Cincinnati before the season, with the two sides also agreeing to a $16 million mutual option for 2027. Friedl, meanwhile, is a non-tender candidate as he approaches the second year of arbitration.

This news came on the same day that Suárez hit a clutch grand slam to help the Reds mount a historic comeback against the San Francisco Giants for a 10-9 win:

As exciting as the comeback was, the win put the Reds at just 63-71 on the season, which has them nine games back in the National League Wild Card race and 19.5 games out in the NL Central.

After finishing in the middle of the pack in runs scored last year, the Reds signed Suárez in February hoping he would provide some punch to the lineup. Things have not gone as planned, however.

Suárez has been part of the problem for the Reds. The 35-year-old is hitting .208/.295/.410 with 19 home runs and 57 RBI in 103 games. He also missed one month early in the year due to an oblique strain.

The main calling card for Suárez has always been power, as his strikeout rates in recent years have gotten to a point that his batting average would hover around the .230 mark.

Friedl, meanwhile, is in the midst of a disappointing season. After posting a .364 on-base percentage while spending most of his time atop the Reds' lineup last season, he is slashing .158/.242/.234 in 75 games this season. He recently went through an 0-for-30 slump at the plate.

It's been a tough season at the plate for the 31-year-old, but he has still been solid in the outfield, playing both center and left field this year.

Friedl's struggles have cost him his starting spot, as the Reds have turned to J.J. Bleday, Dane Myers and now Hector Rodriguez in the outfield.

With both players having cleared waivers, they'll now remain in Cincinnati.