Reds DFA Eugenio Suárez, TJ Friedl After Hitting Grand Slam

The Cincinnati Reds have designated veteran slugger Eugenio Suárez and outfielder TJ Friedl for assignment, a move that comes just hours after Suárez blasted a crucial grand slam to help the team to a dramatic 10-9 comeback victory over the San Francisco Giants.

Suárez, who has hit 344 career home runs, and Friedl were placed on waivers Tuesday, according to a report by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. This allows any of the other 29 Major League Baseball teams 48 hours to claim either player.

The Reds, currently languishing in last place in the NL Central with a 63-71 record and largely out of playoff contention, are reportedly making this move in part to save on team payroll. Suárez has less than $3 million remaining on his contract for the current season, while Friedl's remaining salary is just over $700,000. Both players are not expected to return to the Reds next season.

Suárez, 35, had a career-high 49 home runs last season. This year, he has struggled, hitting 19 home runs and driving in 57 runs with a .208 batting average in 103 games. He also missed nearly a month with a left oblique strain and has primarily served as the designated hitter. Friedl, 31, has played in 76 games this season, hitting only 3 home runs and 11 RBIs with a .158 batting average, his worst career mark. The Reds are unlikely to offer him a contract for next season.