Suárez and Friedl clear waivers as Terry Francona era rolls on

Cincinnati Reds veterans Eugenio Suárez and TJ Friedl cleared outright waivers unclaimed and will remain with the club, a source told MLB.com. Under manager Terry Francona, the roster gambit aimed to shed salary before the Sept. 1 playoff-eligibility deadline—but leaked names turned a confidential process into a very public subplot that Friedl answered with his bat.

Key Takeaways

• Suárez and Friedl went unclaimed after Cincinnati placed them on outright waivers Tuesday, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
• Neither was designated for assignment; both stayed active and are expected to finish the 2026 season with the Reds.
• The waiver placement was meant to save roughly $2.5 million (Suárez) and $633,000 (Friedl) if another club claimed either player.
• After their names leaked, Friedl homered in his first post-waiver at-bat and logged his first multi-hit game since before the All-Star break.
• Both veterans struggled offensively in 2026 and face uncertain futures beyond this season.

Why Did the Reds Place Suárez and Friedl on Waivers?

Cincinnati placed designated hitter/third baseman Eugenio Suárez and outfielder TJ Friedl on outright waivers Tuesday, hoping another club would claim one or both before the waiver window expired Thursday afternoon. MLB Trade Rumors noted the move came ahead of the Sept. 1 deadline for postseason eligibility—a late-August tactic non-contenders use when veterans have little trade value but carry meaningful salary.

Suárez returned on a one-year, $15 million deal after eight prior seasons with Cincinnati. He has hit 19 home runs but owns a .705 OPS in 103 games and a .208/.295/.410 line, with a 35% strikeout rate. Friedl entered 2026 as the leadoff man and primary center fielder yet posted a career-worst .476 OPS in 76 games—among the lowest marks for hitters with at least 250 plate appearances this season. He spent much of June in the minors and was hitting .158/.242/.234 overall.

What Happens Now That Both Players Cleared Waivers?

Because no other team claimed them, Suárez and Friedl stay on the active roster. MLB.com reported the club did not confirm the news, but both are expected to remain available as the Reds play out September. Suárez is owed about $2.5 million through season's end and will become a free agent; his contract includes a $16 million mutual option for 2027 that seems unlikely to be exercised after this production.

Friedl, on a $3.8 million arbitration salary, looks like a probable non-tender candidate this winter despite club control through 2028. The waiver placement signals Cincinnati's plan to move on unless his bat revives. See our Future Tech & AI Wonders hub for more roster trend coverage.

How Did TJ Friedl Respond After the Waiver News Leaked?

Waiver moves are usually confidential; players often never know they passed through the wire. This time, reports surfaced before the 48-hour window closed, creating the awkwardness MLB Trade Rumors warned about when placements go public. The Cincinnati Enquirer reported Friedl did not take the leak personally and responded on the field instead.

He crushed a long home run in his first at-bat after clearing waivers and followed with his first multi-hit game since before the All-Star break. Team president Nick Krall reached out to both Friedl and Suárez after their names surfaced and again once they cleared. Friedl said he is focused on getting back to his strengths—a message Terry Francona had already heard the day before waivers, when reporters asked about Friedl's slump.

Where Does Terry Francona Stand in the Waiver Saga?

Francona's 2026 roster has fallen short of last year's playoff push, and these waiver placements reflect a front office retooling rather than a teardown. Both veterans still contributed during the process: Suárez launched a ninth-inning grand slam in Wednesday's comeback win over the Giants while the waiver clock ticked, per MLB.com.

Clearing waivers means Cincinnati keeps both players for now, saves no money, and must navigate September with veterans who know the organization tried to pass them along. For Suárez, it may be a farewell tour; for Friedl, a chance to rebound after a brutal week in the headlines.