The Cincinnati Reds are set to take center stage tonight in one of Major League Baseball’s most unique events — a nationally televised showdown taking place inside a racetrack in Bristol, Tennessee. Marking the first-ever MLB game in the state, the event is expected to draw a record-breaking crowd of over 85,000 fans. And as the lights shine bright, the Reds will be taking the field with a significantly updated roster.
As part of a busy trade deadline, newcomers Miguel Andujar and Zack Littell have officially joined the team and are active for tonight’s matchup. Also rejoining the club is outfielder TJ Friedl, who was briefly placed on the restricted list after a stint on the paternity list.
Because MLB permits teams to carry 27 players for marquee showcase games, the Reds were able to activate three players while only having to make two corresponding roster moves. As a result, infielder/outfielder Connor Joe has been optioned to Triple-A, along with right-handed pitcher Lyon Richardson. Both transactions were retroactively applied to after the game on August 1st.
While Littell won’t be available for action—having just pitched on July 31st against the Yankees—there’s a chance fans will get their first look at Miguel Andujar in a Reds uniform tonight.
With a historic venue, a record crowd, and a reshaped lineup, tonight’s game represents not just a spectacle for the sport, but a fresh chapter in the Reds’ season.
