Reds Outfielder TJ Friedl Not Going to Change the Way He Plays the Game

Friedl was injured in spring training last season.

Cincinnati Reds outfielder TJ Friedl (29) finishes a live batting practice round after being hit by a pitch at the Cincinnati Reds Player Development Complex in Goodyear, Ariz., on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. / Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

On March 16, 2024, TJ Friedl sprinted after a line drive off the bat of Mariners' Ryan Bliss, diving with his trademark aggression in center field. He stayed on the ground in pain and left the game.

The next day, the Reds announced that Friedl had fractured his wrist and he would go on to miss over two months.

Despite fans urging Friedl to avoid diving for balls in spring training, he has no plans to change his aggressive style of play, even during exhibition games.

"The way I play the game is the way I play the game," Friedl said to Fox19's Joe Danneman. "It's not going to change whether it's spring training or game seven of the World Series."

That may sound frustrating to fans on the surface, but you certainly don't want players to be hesitant and to be playing so as not to get hurt. Often times, that will lead to injury in itself.

"You can't go into spring training being hesitant and not play like yourself, and then game one of the season starts and expect to turn it on and flip a switch in your head, like okay, now I can play. For me, I've played the game one way my whole life, that's all I know."

Friedl made it clear: no one on the Reds staff or in the front office has told him to hold back, and he has no intention of changing the relentless style of play that got him here.

You can watch the full clip below:

"The way I play the game is the way I play the game. It's not going to change whether it's spring training or game 7 of the World Series."

TJ Friedl fractured his wrist diving for a ball in a spring training game last season, but "I play the game one way and that's how I play." pic.twitter.com/PrzxOIw5Mb

— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) February 18, 2025

Make sure you bookmark Cincinnati Reds Talk for the latest news, exclusive interviews, and daily coverage of the Cincinnati Reds!

You May Also Like:

Cincinnati Reds Release Tribute Video Honoring Pete Rose Following His Death

Pete Rose Shared POWERFUL Thoughts on Possible Hall of Fame Induction Before He Died

Cincinnati Reds Star Matt McLain is Healthy, to Play in Arizona Fall League

Report: Cincinnati Reds Rule Out Six Popular Managerial Candidates

Cincinnati Reds Expected to Target Two Candidates for Manager Job, Including Former Red

Cincinnati Reds Expected to “Aggressively Pursue” Trade for 3-Time All-Star This Offseason

Three Qualities the Next Cincinnati Reds Manager Must Have

Skip Schumaker Has Key Trait Cincinnati Reds Are Looking For in Next Manager

Nine Candidates to be Next Manager of the Cincinnati Reds Following David Bell Firing

Rhett Lowder Dazzles in Final Appearance of 2024, Wraps Up Impressive First Season

Marty Brennaman Weighs in on Reds Manager Search, Believes They Should Target World Series Champion Terry Francona

Cincinnati Reds Will Have to Compete With Multiple Teams to Land Skip Schumaker

Look: No. 2 Overall Pick Chase Burns in Cincinnati Reds Uniform for First Time

Watch: Nick Krall Discusses Reds’ Decision to Fire Manager David Bell

Look: Cincinnati Reds 2025 Spring Training Schedule Released

Follow Cincinnati Reds on SI on Twitter/X: @RedsTalkSI

Like Our Facebook Page

Subscribe and follow the ONLY Daily Reds Podcast

Follow on Instagram