Jake Fraley Designated for Assignment by the Reds
Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jake Fraley has been designated for assignment this Sunday. The decision was made in part due to catcher Tyler Stephenson’s thumb injury and the need to strengthen the team’s bench. In addition to Fraley’s designation, the Reds called up right-handed pitcher Connor Phillips and outfielder Will Benson from Triple-A Louisville. They also sent left-handed pitcher Joe La Sorsa to Triple-A.Fraley, 30, is in his fifth season in the Major Leagues, and the fourth with Cincinnati. In 67 games, he is batting .232 with six home runs and 23 RBIs. The player suffered a hyperextended knee after making an error in left field that allowed a run in the tenth inning of the 6-5 loss in 11 innings to the Brewers on Saturday. Francona clarified that neither the error nor the injury influenced the designation decision. Stephenson re-aggravated an injury to his left thumb during the series against Pittsburgh and is under daily evaluation. Jose Trevino, who was behind the plate on Saturday night, was the starter for Sunday’s game. Francona admitted that the decision about Fraley, a player much loved by the fans and in the locker room, was not easy.“We came to the idea of giving Jake the opportunity to play where he maybe thinks he deserves to play, which I understand, that maybe it’s better than sitting on the bench here,” commented Reds manager Terry Francona.
Terry Francona
Cincinnati, the only team this season that hasn’t been swept in a series, has lost the first two games of the three-game series against the Brewers, who have won 14 consecutive games.“It’s not that I needed an excuse not to sleep last night, but you do, because you’re thinking about it,” Francona said. “You’re making decisions that alter their lives. The day I stop thinking about that, I’ll retire again.”
Terry Francona
