Tyler Stephenson Injury News & Updates

Stephenson went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run and an additional run in Friday's 19-2 win over St. Louis.

Stephenson's 13th home run of the season was the Reds' third of the fourth inning and sixth and final long ball of the night, leaving the team one shy of matching a single-game franchise record. Though the Reds are one of the few teams in baseball still competing for a playoff spot in the final series of the regular season, Stephenson isn't necessarily a lock to start behind the dish Saturday and Sunday. He and Luke Maile have been splitting work at catcher of late, with the latter starting four games to Stephenson's three over the past seven contests.

Stephenson is out of the lineup Tuesday at Cleveland.

Luke Maile will start at catcher and bat ninth for the Reds as they take on the Guardians and right-hander Lucas Giolito. Stephenson went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in Sunday's series finale versus the Pirates and carries a disappointing .698 OPS through 504 plate appearances this season.

Stephenson went 2-for-4 with a home run, a double, a walk and three total RBI in Saturday's loss to the Pirates.

Stephenson was part of an early offensive outburst by the Reds, hitting a solo homer in the first inning and adding a two-run double in the second. He had been struggling coming into the contest, going 4-for-34 over his previous 10 contests. Despite the recent struggles, Stephenson has recorded career-best marks with 12 homers and 53 RBI over 137 games this season.

Stephenson isn't in the Reds' lineup Friday against the Pirates.

Stephenson is just 2-for-22 across his last six games, and his offensive woes will now cause him to miss his second start in a row. Luke Maile will start behind the plate Friday and bat ninth.

Stephenson is not in Wednesday's lineup against the Twins.

After starting six straight games, Stephenson will head to the bench for this day game after Tuesday's night game. Luke Maile, who is recovered from a bruised hand, is starting behind the dish and hitting ninth.

Stephenson is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers.

Luke Maile will do the catching for Connor Phillips. Stephenson and Maile have alternated starts behind the plate for the last eight contests.

Stephenson went 1-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored in Tuesday's 6-5 extra-inning win over Detroit.

Stephenson lined a pitch to right field to score the eventual game-winning run. The catcher fought off a nasty second-half slump and is 9-for-23 (.391) with four extra-base hits and six RBI over the last six games.

Stephenson is not in the lineup for Sunday's game versus the Cardinals, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Stephenson and Luke Maile have alternated starts behind the ploate over the past five games, and that trend will continue Sunday after Stephenson went 1-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run in Saturday's contest.

Stephenson is out of the lineup Friday against the Cardinals.

Luke Maile will catch and bat ninth versus the Cardinals and lefty Drew Rom. This appears to be a routine day of rest for Stephenson, who has gone 7-for-12 with a homer, two doubles and four RBI over his last four games.

Stephenson is not in the lineup Tuesday versus Seattle.

Stephenson went 5-for-7 with a homer, two doubles and four RBI between Sunday's series finale against the Cubs and Monday's series opener against the Mariners, but he'll grab some rest Tuesday as Luke Maile takes a turn behind the plate for Cincinnati.

Stephenson went 3-for-3 with a two-run homer and an additional RBI in Sunday's loss against the Cubs.

Stephenson put the Reds ahead 4-3 in the second inning with a two-run blast off Jameson Taillon. It's Stephenson's 11th homer of the year, setting a new career high, and his third in his last 13 games. Overall, the 27-year-old catcher is slashing .252/.333/.382 with 51 runs scored and 47 RBI this season.

Stephenson isn't in the Reds' lineup Saturday against the Cubs.

Stephenson went 1-for-3 with a walk in Game 1 of Friday's doubleheader before sitting out the nightcap, and he'll get a breather Saturday as well. Luke Maile will fill in behind the dish and bat ninth.

Stephenson is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Giants.

Stephenson will take a seat for the day game after he went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts while catching all eight innings of Tuesday's 6-1 loss. Luke Maile will handle the catching duties for the Reds in the series finale.

Stephenson is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Giants.

Stephenson posted a .988 OPS over his last 10 games, but he has not started three days in a row behind the plate all season, so it comes as no surprise that he is getting a breather after opening behind the plate the past two days.

Stephenson went 3-for-4 with a triple, a double and one RBI in Saturday's 8-7 extra-innings win over the Diamondbacks.

Stephenson was a home run shy of the cycle in his first multi-hit effort since Aug. 1. He's hit a paltry .231 (12-for-52) across 18 games this month, slightly worse than his .247 average for the season. The catcher remains the Reds' top option behind the plate with a .700 OPS, 10 home runs, 44 RBI, 50 runs scored, 15 doubles and two triples through 116 contests. He's also been caught on his only attempt to steal a base this season.

Stephenson isn't in the Reds' lineup Friday against Arizona.

Stephenson will get a breather Friday after picking up a hit in six of his last seven games. Luke Maile will fill in behind the dish and bat ninth in Stephenson's place.

Stephenson went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run in a 7-3 win over the Angels in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader.

Stephenson went deep in the fourth inning to put the Reds ahead 3-1. The catcher has homered twice over his last three games to get to 10 long balls on the year. He's slashing .241/.324/.362 with 42 RBI, 50 runs scored, 13 doubles, one triple and no stolen bases over 113 contests as the Reds' primary backstop.

Stephenson is out of the lineup for the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader with the Angels.

Luke Maile will catch for starting pitcher Andrew Abbott in the early game, but expect Stephenson to check in behind the dish for the nightcap. Stephenson saw his four-game hitting streak come to an end with an 0-for-4, two-strikeout effort in Tuesday's 4-3 win in the series opener.

Stephenson entered as a pinch hitter and went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Sunday's 10-3 loss to Toronto.

Stephenson homered as a pinch hitter for Luke Maile in the seventh inning and finished out the game behind the plate. The blast was Stephenson's ninth and first in 12 games. The Reds primary catcher has hits in four straight games but has been struggling since the All-Star break, recording a .203/.276/.304 line over 25 contests.

Stephenson is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Blue Jays.

He'll take a seat for the series finale after starting behind the plate Friday and Saturday while going 2-for-6 with a walk between the contests. Luke Maile will start at catcher and form a battery with starting pitcher Hunter Greene.

Stephenson is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Guardians.

Stephenson is slashing a woeful .180/.254/.246 since the All-Star break, and his ongoing struggles at the dish appear to have resulted in him moving into more of a timeshare at catcher with Luke Maile. The two backstops have now alternated starts behind the plate over the past eight games.

Stephenson isn't in the Reds' lineup for Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader against Pittsburgh.

Stephenson went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts during the Reds' Game 1 loss, and he'll catch a breather to end the day. Luke Maile will take over behind the dish and bat ninth.

Stephenson isn't in the Reds' lineup Friday agaisnt the Pirates.

Stephenson is just 1-for-16 with six strikeouts across his last five games, so he'll take a day off Friday to regroup. Luke Maile will fill in behind the plate and bat ninth.

Stephenson is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Marlins.

Luke Maile will start at catcher and bat ninth versus the Marlins and left-hander Braxton Garrett. Stephenson has slashed just .192/.263/.269 in 57 plate appearances since the All-Star break and carries a disappointing .687 OPS on the year.

Stephenson is not in the lineup for Saturday's game versus the Nationals.

Stephenson has a .528 OPS in 15 games since the All-Star break and will hit the bench Saturday for the second time in the past three games. Luke Maile will receive another start behind the plate for Cincinnati.

Stephenson is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Cubs.

Stephenson has a .547 OPS in 14 games since the All-Star break and will head to the bench Thursday after starting the previous two contests. Luke Maile will work behind the plate and bat ninth in the series finale at Chicago.

Stephenson went 2-for-5 with a home run, two RBI and an additional run scored in Tuesday's 20-9 loss to the Cubs.

Stephenson belted his eighth home run of the season in the sixth inning. The homer was his first in 20 games, while the RBI his first in 16 games. Stephenson is slashing .251/.332/.368, well off last season's pace when he had an unsustainable .409 BABIP.

Stephenson is not in Monday's lineup against the Cubs.

Stephenson hit .211 with one home run, 10 runs and four RBI in 57 July at-bats. Luke Maile will start behind the dish and hit ninth.

Stephenson isn't in the Reds' lineup Saturday against the Dodgers.

Stephenson will catch a breather after going 1-for-6 across his last two games. Luke Maile will start behind the dish in Stephenson's place and bat ninth.

Stephenson is not in the lineup Tuesday versus the Brewers.

Luke Maile will catch Andrew Abbott in what has become a regular tandem. Stephenson carries a disappointing .252/.334/.365 batting line through 94 games (368 plate appearances) this season with Cincinnati.

Stephenson is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Stephenson will get a breather for the matinee game after he started behind the dish both of the past two days. Luke Maile will catch for starting pitcher Luke Weaver in the series finale.

Stephenson is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Giants.

It's a day game after a night game, offering the prime opportunity to give Stephenson some rest. Luke Maile will be catching Andrew Abbott.

Stephenson isn't in the Reds' lineup Tuesday versus the Giants.

Stephenson is 0-for-21 across his last seven games, so he'll receive a day off Tuesday to regroup. Curt Casali will fill in behind the plate and bat ninth.

Stephenson isn't in the Reds' lineup Saturday against the Brewers.

After going 0-for-3 with a pair of strikeouts during Friday's contest, Stephenson will get a breather Saturday. Luke Maile will take Stephenson's place behind the dish and bat ninth.

Stephenson isn't in the Reds' lineup Friday against the Brewers.

Stephenson is 5-for-16 with a homer, four RBI and six runs scored since the beginning of July. He'll catch a breather Friday while Luke Maile starts behind the dish while batting ninth, and Will Benson will serve as Cincinnati's designated hitter.

Stephenson went 1-for-1 with a two-run homer in Sunday's 4-3 victory over the Padres.

After initially getting the day off, Stephenson was called upon in crunch time, entering the game as a pinch hitter with two outs in the ninth inning. He delivered his seventh home run of the season -- surpassing his 2022 total -- and drove in Stuart Fairchild to give Cincinnati a 4-2 lead and the eventual victory. Through 79 games, Stephenson boasts the third most runs scored and the sixth most RBI amongst catchers while slashing .258/.334/.382.

Stephenson is out of the lineup for Sunday's game versus the Padres.

Stephenson started the past three games behind the plate and will take a seat for Sunday's series finale against San Diego. Luke Maile will bat ninth and step in to catch for Andrew Abbott.

Stephenson isn't in the Reds' lineup Tuesday against Baltimore.

After going 5-for-15 with two runs scored across his last four games, Stephenson will get a breather Tuesday. Luke Maile will start behind the plate and bat ninth.

Stephenson isn't in the Reds' lineup Saturday against Atlanta.

Stephenson is 5-for-19 with an RBI and a run scored across his last five games. He'll get a breather Saturday as Curt Casali takes over behind the plate and bats ninth.

Stephenson is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Rockies.

Curt Casali is starting at catcher and batting ninth versus the visiting Rockies and right-hander Noah Davis. Joey Votto will serve as the Reds' designated hitter and bat sixth. Stephenson has gone 0-for-8 with three strikeouts over his last two games and holds a disappointing .681 OPS on the year.

Stephenson went 3-for-5 with two RBI in Tuesday's 9-8 win over the Dodgers.

Stephenson recorded base knocks in the first, seventh and ninth innings, however, his two RBI came from his hit in the opening frame. Tuesday was hist first multi-hit game since May 27 and his second effort with three hits this year. The 26-year-old has just 15 extra-base hits in 238 plate appearances this year, leading to a .105 ISO, which is currently in the bottom 20 of the league among all qualified hitters. He now owns a slash line of .246/.332/.351 with three homers, 24 RBI, 26 runs and a 24:66 BB:K.

Stephenson went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Monday's 2-0 win over Milwaukee.

Offense was scarce in the contest, and Stephenson accounted for one of two total runs with his fourth-inning solo blast. The long ball was his first since May 13, a span of 19 games. Stephenson has struggled since that previous homer, batting .189 with 24 strikeouts and just 14 hits over 74 at-bats.

Stephenson isn't in the Reds' lineup Saturday against Milwaukee.

Stephenson is just 2-for-19 at the plate across his last five games, so he'll get a day off Saturday to regroup. Curt Casali will take over behind the dish and bat ninth.

Stephenson is not in the starting lineup Sunday versus the Yankees.

Stephenson will take a seat after he went 0-for-7 with three punchouts over the first two games of the series. Luke Maile will take over behind the plate and bat ninth in the series finale with New York.

Stephenson is out of the starting lineup against the Rockies on Wednesday.

Stephenson will take a seat for Wednesday's battle against the Rockies after going 1-for-8 with two runs scored over the first two contests. Luke Maile will get the start behind the plate and hit ninth.

Stephenson is out of the lineup Tuesday against the Padres.

Stephenson seems certain to get it going at some point, but he went 0-for-4 in Monday's series opener at San Diego and is batting just .265/.348/.324 with zero home runs through 29 games this season. Curt Casali is catching for the Reds on Tuesday and Henry Ramos is taking a turn in the designated hitter role.

Stephenson went 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored in Wednesday's win over the Rangers.

Stephenson scored the first run in Wednesday's contest, doubling to lead off the second inning before scoring on a Henry Ramos triple. Stephenson, who served as Cincinnati's DH in the win, has gone 9-for-26 with three doubles in his last eight contests. The 26-year-old catcher has yet to homer this year, though he's still slashing a robust .286/.381/.345 with 10 runs and 10 RBI through 97 plate appearances. While Stephenson is the Reds' primary catcher, he should see a fair amount of time at DH and first base to keep his bat in the lineup while ensuring he stays healthy following an injury-hampered 2022 campaign.

Stephenson is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Pirates.

Stephenson started the past six games and will step out of the lineup after he went 5-for-22 with a double, an RBI a run and 11 strikeouts during that span. Luke Maile will work behind the plate in Sunday's series finale at Pittsburgh.

Stephenson is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's contest against the Phillies.

Stephenson will begin Sunday's series finale against Philadelphia on the bench with Luke Maile handling catching duties. The 26-year-old backstop has hit .294 with a strong .400 on-base percentage but he is still looking for his first homer of the 2023 campaign.

Stephenson went 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored in Saturday's win over the Pirates.

After a 1-for-4 showing in the opener, Stephenson followed up with two more hits Saturday, including his first extra-base knock of the season. He was in the cleanup spot against lefty Rich Hill just as he was Thursday against right-hander Mitch Keller. However, this time he was at first base, and he will continue to get starts at first occasionally even when Joey Votto (shoulder) returns. The Reds need Stephenson's bat in the lineup.

Stephenson is expected to catch about 65 games for the Reds this season, manager David Bell told Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer on Thursday.

The plan is for Stephenson to catch four out of every 10 games and also make three starts at designated hitter and two at first base during that span. Bell said that the team already has every game planned out, although circumstances can obviously change. Just 65 games seems like an awfully low number for your starting catcher, but it should certainly give Stephenson a better shot to stay healthy after he was limited to just 50 contests in 2022. It's welcomed news for his fantasy outlook. The Reds also have Curt Casali, Luke Maile and Austin Romine, so they have other options at catcher. Stephenson's season ended last year with a fractured clavicle, but he enters camp without restrictions.

Reds manager David Bell said Friday that he wants Stephenson (collarbone) in the lineup for 140-150 games this season, Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

That helps to explain why the Reds have stacked up a nice cast of veteran backup catchers -- Curt Casali, Luke Maile, Austin Romine -- over the course of the winter. Stephenson is expected to see a lot of time at DH and first base to help ensure that he can handle a larger overall workload. The 26-year-old was limited to 50 games in 2022 due to a range of different ailments. It was a broken collarbone that officially ended his season in August. He's averaged an .823 OPS with 15 home runs and 73 RBI for every 162 games played when healthy.

Stephenson (collarbone) announced Wednesday via his personal Twitter account that he's resumed taking batting practice.

Stephenson's 2022 campaign came to an end in late July, when he suffered a broken right collarbone that later required surgery. The fact that he's swinging a bat again suggests he's nearing the finish line in his recovery from surgery, but he'll still need to complete a throwing program before he's fully cleared for catching duties in spring training. When healthy last season, Stephenson displayed the upside of a top-tier fantasy catcher, as he hit .319 with six home runs, 35 RBI and 24 runs in just 183 plate appearances.

Stephenson isn't expected to return this season after undergoing surgery to stabilize his fractured right collarbone Thursday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Stephenson will be eligible to return from the 60-day injured list for the final two weeks of the season, but that was reportedly a long shot even before his surgery. The Reds haven't officially ruled him out for the remainder of the year, but the team has little incentive to rush him in a lost season and seems content to let him rest and heal. With Aramis Garcia (finger) also out, the Reds are going with Michael Papierski and Austin Romine behind the plate.

Stephenson underwent surgery Thursday to stabilize the fracture in his right clavicle,C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

According to Rosecrans, the procedure is designed to alleviate some of the pain and discomfort in Stephenson's right shoulder, but his timeline for a return shouldn't be affected. The Reds placed Stephenson on the 60-day injured list earlier this week, making him ineligible to return until at least the final two weeks of the season.

Stephenson will undergo surgery on his broken collarbone, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

It was announced earlier in the day that Stephenson was transferred to the 60-day injured list, and that was simply a precursor to the latest update on his status. It's unclear exactly how long Stephenson will need to recover from the procedure, but he will not be eligible to be activated from the injured list until Sept. 21.

Stephenson (shoulder) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Monday.

The Reds have not announced how long Stephenson will be sidelined with his broken clavicle, but Monday's transaction rules him at least until Sept. 21 and indicates his injury could be a season-ender. The Reds figure to mix-and-match behind the plate until either Stephenson is ready to return or the regular season comes to a close.

Stephenson (shoulder) was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday.

Stephenson sustained a broken right clavicle Friday against the Cardinals when he was hit in the shoulder by a foul ball and doesn't have a timetable for his return. He'll be forced to spend more than the minimum of 10 days on the IL, and a better recovery timetable will likely come into focus once he resumes baseball activities. Aramis Garcia (elbow/illness) will likely serve as the primary catcher once he's healthy, but Michael Papierski and Mark Kolozsvary will serve as the top two options behind the dish while Stephenson and Garcia are sidelined.

Stephenson suffered a broken right clavicle Friday against St, Louis.

Stephenson was hit in the shoulder by a foul ball and he was unable to complete a throw to first base a few pitches later. No timetable has been announced for his return, though he'll likely miss a large portion of the rest of the campaign.

Stephenson was forced to exit Friday's contest against the Cardinals early with a shoulder injury, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Stephenson was hit by a foul ball in the shoulder, causing him to come up lame a few pitches later. He was replaced by Michael Papierski and can be considered day-to-day for the time being. More information on Stephenson's status will likely come after the conclusion of the contest.

Stephenson isn't in the lineup Friday against the Cardinals.

Stephenson started in the last five games and hit .450 with a homer, a double, four RBI and three runs. Michael Papierski will take over behind the dish and bat ninth.

Stephenson went 3-for-5 with a two-run homer in Sunday's 10-5 win over the Rays.

Stephenson took Shane Baz deep as part of the Reds' seven-run third frame. He's gone 5-for-9 in two games since returning from a month-long stint on the injured list. The 25-year-old improved his season slash line to .320/.372/.493 with six home runs and 33 RBI through 164 plate appearances. Since the start of June, Stephenson is 14-for-35 (.400) with four extra-base hits in nine games.

Stephenson (thumb) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Saturday.

Stephenson sustained a fractured thumb June 9 but will rejoin the Reds exactly a month after the injury occurred. The 25-year-old went 4-for-15 with a double, a run, an RBI and eight strikeouts over four rehab games at Triple-A Louisville and should reclaim an everyday role now that he's back to full health. Mark Kolozsvary was sent down to make room for Stephenson on the active roster.

Reds manager David Bell said Stephenson (thumb) will play two more games during his rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville before returning from the 10-day injured list, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Stephenson is expected to start at catcher in one of the games and designated hitter in the other, though it's unclear if the Reds plan on having him play both of the next two days or if he'll get a day off in between. Regardless, Stephenson look like he could be back in action for the Reds no later than Sunday, assuming he experiences no setbacks with his fractured right thumb. Once reinstated from the IL, Stephenson will take over as the Reds' No. 1 catcher, pushing Aramis Garcia back into a reserve role.

Stephenson (thumb) could return during the Reds' current homestand, according to Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer.

Stephenson is set to begin a rehab assignment Monday night, and if all goes as planned in the days ahead, he could be back with the big club by the end of next weekend.

Stephenson (thumb) is expected to start his rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on Monday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Stephenson is nearing a return from the broken thumb he suffered June 9, but he'll likely have to make several rehab starts before rejoining the big league club. He's currently tracking to return just ahead of the All-Star break.

Stephenson (thumb) is expected to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville in the coming days, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Stephenson took part in batting practice Wednesday and is close to returning to game action with the minor-league club. The 25-year-old has been on the injured list since June 9 due to a fractured right thumb and will likely require several rehab games before rejoining the Reds, but he seems to be trending toward a return sometime in early July.

Stephenson (thumb) participated in batting practice on the field at Great American Ball Park on Wednesday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Manager David Bell recently said he hopes Stephenson will begin a rehab assignment within the next week, and the catcher's participating at batting practice Wednesday is an encouraging sign for his outlook. The 25-year-old will likely need to advance to facing live pitching before being cleared for game action in the minors.

Manager David Bell said Saturday that he hopes Stephenson (thumb) could begin a rehab assignment in the next week to 10 days, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Stephenson sustained a fractured right thumb June 9 and initially carried a return timetable of 4-to-6 weeks, but he appears to be slightly ahead of schedule in his recovery. He shed his cast this week and will likely resume baseball activities in the coming days as he prepares for a minor-league rehab assignment.

Reds manager David Bell said Wednesday that Stephenson no longer needs a cast to protect his fractured right thumb, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Though the skipper noted Stephenson is "healing properly," the backstop remains without a clear timeline to resume baseball activities. When he first sustained the thumb injury June 9, Stephenson was projected to miss 4-to-6 weeks, so fantasy managers shouldn't count on him returning from the 10-day injured list until shortly before the All-Star break in a best-case scenario.

Stephenson (thumb) is expected to have his cast removed within the next few days, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Depending on the feedback he receives from his surgeon once the cast is removed, Stephenson could be able to resume light baseball activities by next week. The 25-year-old was projected to miss around 4-to-6 weeks when he first fractured his thumb June 9, and that timeline is still believed to be in place.

Stephenson (thumb) was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Stephenson was hit in the right hand by a foul ball Thursday, ultimately fracturing his thumb. He is expected to miss 4-to-6 weeks while recovering and Chris Okey was called up to replace him on the big-league roster.

Stephenson sustained a fractured right thumb during Thursday's loss to the Diamondbacks and will likely miss 4-to-6 weeks, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Stephenson had a strong start to the 2022 season, slashing .305/.361/.468 with five home runs, 31 RBI, 21 runs and a stolen base over 42 games. He missed a week and a half earlier in the season due to a concussion but will likely face an absence of at least a month due to his thumb injury. Aramis Garcia should serve as the Reds' primary catcher in Stephenson's absence, while the team will presumably call up another backstop from the minors as well.

Stephenson left Thursday's contest early with a hand injury, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Stephenson was forced out of the game after a foul ball went off his bare right hand and Aramis Garcia replaced him behind the plate. More information will likely be provided on his status following the conclusion of Thursday's matchup.

Stephenson is out of the lineup Wednesday against Arizona.

Stephenson has logged four consecutive multi-hit performances, and he went 9-for-16 with a home run, two doubles, seven RBI and four runs during that time. However, he'll get a breather while Aramis Garcia starts behind the plate and bats ninth.

Stephenson went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run and an additional RBI during Tuesday's 14-8 win versus Arizona.

Stephenson contributed an RBI single during the second inning and provided some key insurances runs in the eighth with a two-run homer. The 25-year-old continues to produce as one of the top catchers in baseball this season with a .309/.366/.475 slash line, five home runs and 31 RBI in 41 games.

Stephenson is not in the starting lineup for Thursday's contest with the Nationals, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Stephenson will take a seat Thursday after starting six straight games, going 6-for-24 with three RBI and four runs over that span. Aramis Garcia will start at catcher and bat eighth in the series opener.

Stephenson is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs.

Stephenson started in each of the Reds' last seven games and was behind the plate for six of those contests, so he'll get a well-earned breather Wednesday. Aramis Garcia will catch for starting pitcher Luis Castillo.

Stephenson (head) will catch and bat fifth Tuesday against the Guardians.

Stephenson left Saturday's game against the Pirates after taking a foul ball off his mask, but he passed concussion tests. He sat out Sunday but is ready to reclaim his regular role following Monday's scheduled off day.

Stephenson (head) cleared concussion testing and is available off the bench Sunday against the Pirates, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Stephenson has already suffered one concussion this season and three for his career, so it's good news he's cleared the testing protocols after taking a foul ball off his mask Saturday. He's out of the lineup Sunday and will also have the Reds' scheduled day off Monday to rest up for the upcoming three-game set with the Guardians, which begins Tuesday. Aramis Garcia is starting behind the plate Sunday and batting seventh.

Stephenson (head) is out of Sunday's lineup against the Pirates.

He passed initial concussion tests Saturday night after taking a foul ball off his facemask. Considering Stephenson has suffered three concussions in his career, the Reds will tread carefully here, so it's not surprising he is getting at least one day off ahead of Monday's off day. Aramis Garcia is starting behind the dish, batting seventh.

Stephenson left Saturday's game against the Pirates after taking a foul ball off his facemask, but manager David Bell said afterward that Stephenson passed initial concussion tests, Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. "The report (Saturday night) is no concussion," Bell said. "[Stephenson] was examined by the doctors here. We'll have him re-evaluated just to be sure, but that's a real relief in a big way. That's very scary. We caught a break there."

As Goldsmith notes, Stephenson has suffered three concussions in his playing career, including one earlier this season in a collision at home plate with the Padres' Luke Voit. Another one in such a short span could be devastating, so even if Stephenson's follow-up tests are clear as well, the Reds may look to ease his workload behind the plate for a stretch. In light of his concussion history, it's reasonable to think Stephenson could end up replacing Joey Votto as the team's primary first baseman in time.

Stephenson went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, an additional RBI and an additional run scored during Thursday's 4-0 win over the Pirates. He also struck out once.

Stephenson opened the scoring with an RBI single in the second and extended the Reds' lead to 2-0 with a solo shot in the fourth. Over his last three games, Stephenson has eight hits, seven RBI and four runs scored.

Stephenson went 3-for-5 with two doubles, four RBI and two runs during Wednesday's 14-11 win over Milwaukee.

Stephenson started the scoring with an RBI double during the the opening frame, and he with another double in the second to put the Reds up 7-0. It's his seventh multi-hit game and second three-hit effort of the campaign. The 25-year-old has a .322/.397/.559 slash line with three home runs, five doubles, 17 RBI and 11 runs through 20 games.

Stephenson isn't starting the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Pirates.

Stephenson will get a breather after he went 3-for-4 with two doubles, four RBI, a run and a strikeout in Saturday's matinee. It's worth noting that he took a foul ball off the helmet, but he was able to remain in the game, and the Reds haven't indicated that his absence from the nightcap is due to an injury. Aramis Garcia will start behind the plate and bat ninth.

Stephenson went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, an additional RBI and an additional run scored during Thursday's 10-5 loss to the Brewers. He struck out once.

Stephenson opened the scoring with an RBI single in the first inning and eventually came around to score on a Colin Moran single. The slugger also rocked a solo shot off Brewers starter Adrian Houser in the fourth inning, but he was one of the few bright spots for the Reds during another brutal loss.

Stephenson isn't starting Wednesday against the Brewers.

Stephenson returned from a concussion in Tuesday's series opener against Milwaukee and went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts. Aramis Garcia will start behind the dish and bat ninth.

Stephenson (concussion) was activated off the injured list Tuesday and will bat fifth and start behind the plate against the Brewers.

Stephenson wound up missing two weeks after colliding with Luke Voit at home plate. He's ready to go without having played in any rehab games and will look to get back to the form he showed prior to his injury, when he hit .267/.378/.467 in 11 games. Mark Kolozsvary was optioned to clear a roster spot.

Stephenson (concussion) is targeting a return Tuesday against the Brewers, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Stephenson is already eligible to return from the 7-day injured list but evidently needs a few more days to get up to speed. Aramis Garcia should remain the Reds' primary catcher until he returns.

Stephenson (concussion) will catch a live BP this weekend, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Stephenson participated in agility drills and ran on the field ahead of Wednesday's game against the Padres. Since the 25-year-old will catch a live BP session from Mike Minor (shoulder) this weekend, manager David Bell indicated that Stephenson could return sometime during the Reds' series in Milwaukee that begins Tuesday.

Stephenson (concussion) participated in agility drills and ran on the field prior to Wednesday's game against the Padres, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Stephenson is eligible to return from the 7-day injured list as early as Wednesday, but manager David Bell said Sunday that he isn't sure whether the catcher will be back in action in time for the team's weekend series against Colorado. While it was encouraging to see Stephenson participate in some work Wednesday, it's not yet clear when he'll return to game action. Aramis Garcia is starting behind the plate once again Wednesday.

Manager David Bell said Sunday that he's unsure if Stephenson (concussion) will be ready to return from the 7-day injured list in time for the Reds' series in Colorado that begins Friday, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Since he was placed on the 7-day injured list retroactive to April 20, Stephenson is technically eligible to return for the final two game of the Reds' home series with the Padres on Wednesday and Thursday, but Bell's comments imply that the backstop won't clear the concussion protocol by then. Stephenson doesn't sound like he's a lock to make it back for the weekend either, potentially making Aramis Garcia an attractive short-term pickup both in leagues that start one or two catchers. Though he's out of the lineup Sunday against the Cardinals, Garcia started each of the Reds' last four games and went 4-for-11 with two runs.

Stephenson was diagnosed with a concussion and will be placed on the 7-day injured list Wednesday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Stephenson while tagging out Luke Voit in a collision at home plate during the opening frame of Tuesday's loss to the Padres, and he'll be out for at least a week while going through the concussion protocol. Aramis Garcia should step in as Cincinnati's primary catcher in the meantime, and the team will need to promote another backstop to serve as the backup.

Stephenson was removed from Tuesday's game against the Padres after a collision at home plate, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The 25-year-old tagged out Luke Voit in a collision at the plate during the bottom of the first inning and was unable to remain in the contest. Stephenson is likely to be evaluated for a concussion and should be considered day-to-day until more information is available. Aramis Garcia, who was serving as the designated hitter Tuesday, will take over at catcher, so the Reds have lost the designated hitter for the rest of the game.

Stephenson will be on the bench for Friday's game against the Dodgers.

Stephenson has handled a heavy workload behind the plate thus far this season, starting six of the first seven games prior to his day off Friday. He's gotten off to a good start offensively, homering twice and posting a .910 OPS in 25 plate appearances. Aramis Garcia will take over Friday, catching Vladimir Gutierrez.

Stephenson went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's loss to the Guardians.

The catcher launched his second homer of the season in the eighth inning by connecting on a Nick Sandlin fastball, driving in Tyler Naquin. With former teammate Tucker Barnhart now with the Tigers, Stephenson has stepped in the everyday role at backstop. Now as the primary starter, Stephenson will look to build off of a strong 2021 campaign where he went yard 10 times, drove in 45 runs and produced a .286 batting average over 132 games.

Stephenson went 1-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Sunday's win in Atlanta.

Stephenson got himself on the board with a fifth-inning long ball off Sean Newcomb. The backstop is looking to build on his strong 2021 campaign, and he's off to a nice start -- he's batting .300 in the early going. Stephenson has hit fifth in order in all three games he's started so far.

Stephenson will hit the bench Saturday against Atlanta.

Stephenson has a clear role as the Reds' primary catcher this season with Tucker Barnhart now a Tiger, but, like any catcher, he'll get a fair amount of days off. He'll hit the bench after going 2-for-6 with three RBI in the first two games of the year, with Aramis Garcia taking over behind the plate.

Stephenson went 2-for-4 with two RBI in Friday's 7-6 loss to Atlanta.

A two-run single in the sixth inning helped spark a Reds rally from a 7-1 deficit that ultimately fell short. Stephenson has three RBI through two games to begin his first season as the clear No. 1 catcher for Cincinnati.

Stephenson has batted fifth in the last three spring training games that he's played in, all games with what appears to be the Reds' most likely Opening Day starters. He's hitting .393/.514/.500 in 35 spring training plate appearances.

In all three instances, Stephenson was hitting against right-handed starters, reinforcing the notion that he's more than a platoon starter, but the Reds' primary catching option, locked in behind Joey Votto.

Stephenson currently resides atop the Reds' depth chart at catcher after Cincinnati dealt Tucker Barnhart to the Tigers on Wednesday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Though he lacks the defensive polish of Barnhart, a two-time Gold Glove winner, Stephenson should represent a significant upgrade offensively from the Reds' long-standing No. 1 backstop. Even while slotting second on the depth chart for most of last season, Stephenson still earned himself regular starts at Barnhart's expense against left-handed pitching, typically slotting into the heart of the lineup on those occasions. Overall, Stephenson slashed .286/.366/.431 with 10 home runs, 56 runs and 45 RBI, with his 111 wRC+ ranking fourth among the 15 catcher-eligible players that accrued at least 400 plate appearances. The Reds will presumably add another defensive-minded veteran catcher to the roster this offseason, but in the likely event he faces lesser competition than Barnhart and receives an uptick in playing time in 2022, the 25-year-old Stephenson could have a legitimate case for being viewed as a top-five fantasy option at the position.

Stephenson went 3-for-5 with a home run, a double, two runs scored and three RBI in Sunday's 9-2 win over Washington.

Stephenson put the Reds on the board with his two-run shot in the fifth inning and later brought home another run with a sacrifice fly. He's up to 10 homers and 44 RBI alongside a .798 OPS this season. Stephenson entered Sunday's game in a 29-game drought without a home run, going 16-for-69 (.232) during that span.

Stephenson (undisclosed) was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list Wednesday.

Stephenson landed on the COVID-19 IL on Monday, but his brief absence suggests that he didn't test positive for the virus. The 25-year-old is in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Pirates, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

The Reds placed Stephenson on the injured list without a designation Monday.

Though Stephenson typically starts against left-handed pitchers, he wasn't included in the lineup for Cincinnati's series opener Monday with the Pirates, who are starting southpaw Dillon Peters. Stephenson's move to the IL explains why he was absent from the lineup, and the lack of a designation attached to his name implies that he's been ruled out for a reason related to COVID-19. Cincinnati called up Mark Kolozsvary from Triple-A Louisville to serve as the No. 2 catcher behind Tucker Barnhart while Stephenson is on the shelf.

Stephenson is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs.

With four starts in the Reds' previous six games, Stephenson has seen an uptick in playing time lately, but that's mostly been a byproduct of Cincinnati facing a lefty-heavy slate. Stephenson will be on the bench for the second game in a row with the Reds matching up another righty (Alec Mills) in the series finale, affording No. 1 backstop Tucker Barnhart a turn behind the plate.

Stephenson went 1-for-1 with a two-run homer in Sunday's 7-4 win over the Phillies.

Stephenson was out of the lineup for the second time in the last three games, but he entered the contest in the eighth inning and blasted his ninth home run of the season. The 24-year-old is in the midst of a power surge across his last three appearances, and he's gone 5-for-9 with three home runs, four RBI and four runs during that time.

Stephenson went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Saturday's 6-1 loss to the Phillies.

He spoiled a bid for a combined no-hitter, much less a combined shutout, by taking Archie Bradley deep to lead off the eighth inning. Stephenson has homered in consecutive starts, giving him eight long balls on the season, and he's batting an impressive .323 (10-for-31) through 11 games in August.

Stephenson went 3-for-5 with a solo home run in Thursday's win over Atlanta.

Stephenson took Edgar Santana deep in the ninth inning for his seventh homer of the year. He also picked up a double and a single en route to a season-best six total bases. It's been perhaps overshadowed by the breakouts of teammates Jesse Winker and Jonathan India, and the second-half resurgence of veteran Joey Votto, but the 24-year-old Stephenson has emerged as an important bat in the Reds lineup, slashing .287/.373/.429 with 35 RBI in 295 plate appearances.

Stephenson (hamstring) went 1-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Sunday's 3-2 win over Pittsburgh.

The catcher's scoring contributions came in the fourth inning when he drove in a run on a fielder's choice and scored on a Kyle Farmer double. Stephenson missed two games with the hamstring injury, but he should go back to splitting time with Tucker Barnhart behind the plate. Through 281 plate appearances, Stephenson has a .282/.370/.419 slash line, six home runs, 34 RBI, 44 runs scored and 15 doubles.

Stephenson (hamstring) went 1-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Sunday's 3-2 win over Pittsburgh.

The catcher's scoring contributions came in the fourth inning when he drove in a run on a fielder's choice and scored on a Kyle Farmer double. Stephenson missed two games with the hamstring injury, but he should go back to splitting time with Tucker Barnhart behind the plate. Through 281 plate appearances, Stephenson has a .282/.370/.419 slash line, six home runs, 34 RBI, 44 runs scored and 15 doubles.

Stephenson (hamstring) will start at catcher and bat fifth Sunday against the Pirates.

Just as manger David Bell said would be the case, the hamstring issue that forced Stephenson out of Thursday's 7-4 win in the series opener won't result in the young backstop landing on the injured list. He'll draw back into the lineup after sitting the past two days, spelling Tucker Barnhart behind the dish.

Manager David Bell announced Friday that Stephenson (hamstring) won't need to go on the injured list, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Stephenson left Thursday's game with what was initially described as a hamstring cramp, and further evaluation confirmed that he didn't suffer any sort of more serious injury. Given Bell's update, Stephenson could have a chance of being available off the bench Friday, and the backstop should be ready to start behind the plate when next called upon.

Stephenson left Thursday's game in the sixth inning with a hamstring cramp, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

The exit was termed precautionary, which makes sense given the label as a cramp. Assuming Stephenson isn't dealing with anything more serious, he should be back in action soon. Tucker Barnhart replaced Stephenson behind the plate.

Stephenson went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in Wednesday's 6-5 win over the Twins.

He hit an RBI single in the third inning, then crushed an 86 MPH changeup to center field for a seventh-inning home run. Stephenson has provided some solid production as Cincinnati's backup catcher, as he's hitting .313 with 12 RBI in 67 at-bats since the beginning of July. On the season, the 24-year-old is slashing .282/.372/.419.

Stephenson will start at catcher and bat third Sunday against the Cardinals.

He'll crack the lineup for the second time in the series after going 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI in Friday's 6-5 win. Most of Stephenson's starts in recent weeks have come against left-handed pitching, but he'll take aim at a right-hander (Johan Oviedo) while top backstop Tucker Barnhart sits for the day game after a night game.

Stephenson went 3-for-5 with a run scored in Tuesday's 7-6 loss to Kansas City.

All three of the catcher's hits were singles, and he scored on a Joey Votto triple in the third inning. Stephenson continues to show well when he's in the lineup, as he's posted a .281/.381/.432 slash line with five home runs, 22 RBI and 34 runs scored through 215 plate appearances. With Jesse Winker out of the lineup Tuesday, Stephenson hit second, but he'll likely bat farther down the order in most circumstances.

Stephenson is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Phillies.

The Reds included Stephenson in the lineup in four of the past six games, but all but one of those starts came when the opposition brought lefty pitchers to the hill. Stephenson looks like he'll be stuck in a short-side platoon role while both Tucker Barnhart and Joey Votto are healthy.

Stephenson went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, a pair of walks and two runs scored in Friday's 11-5 win over Colorado.

Stephenson got the start behind the dish Friday, and he supplied a solo shot in the fifth inning. The catcher is slashing a solid .267/.368/.420 with four homers, 17 RBI and 21 runs scored across 152 plate appearances. Tucker Barnhart has posted similar numbers this year, which will likely leave Stephenson in a backup role.

Stephenson is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Brewers.

Stephenson had started 17 of the Reds' previous 19 games, with most of those opportunities coming at first base. However, with Joey Votto returning from the injured list Tuesday, Stephenson's time as an everyday player for the Reds could be over. Stephenson should still get a handful of starts per week when Votto and top catcher Tucker Barnhart require rest, but the 24-year-old's expected downturn in playing time could make it difficult to justify holding him in most leagues. Compared to most catcher-eligible players, Stephenson has been quite productive this season with a .268 average, three home runs, 19 runs and 16 RBI across 146 plate appearances.

Stephenson went 2-for-4 with two doubles and three RBI on Wednesday against the Brewers.

Stephenson began the productive effort with an RBI double in the first inning. He followed that up three frames later by driving in two runners with another extra-base knock. Though it's come in bunches, Stephenson now has seven RBI in his last 10 games. In that same span, he's collected nine hits across 31 at-bats. For the season, Stephenson is hitting .268/.363/.402 with three home runs, 19 runs scored and 16 RBI across 146 plate appearances.

Stephenson isn't starting Saturday against the Cardinals.

Stephenson will get a breather after he went 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and a walk Friday. Mike Freeman will start at first base and bat eighth.

Stephenson went 1-for-4 with a double and two RBI in Saturday's loss against the Cubs.

Stephenson provided all the offense the Reds were able to muster with a two-run double in the top of the sixth inning, scoring Eugenio Suarez and Jesse Winker. The backstop is hitting a decent .260 with a .713 OPS on the season.

Stephenson will start at first base and bat cleanup Sunday against the Brewers.

The 24-year-old is in the lineup for the fifth straight game, with two of his starts coming at catcher and three coming at first base. With all of Joey Votto (thumb), Mike Moustakas (heel) and Nick Senzel (knee) on the shelf, Stephenson looks like he'll have a fairly clear path to regular playing time in the short term until the Reds claim some health. Given that he's eligible at catcher and owns an .826 OPS over 109 career MLB plate appearances, Stephenson looks worthy of rostering in most formats while he's getting steady work.

Stephenson is starting at first base and batting cleanup in Wednesday's game against the Giants. He doesn't have a first-base mitt of his own and has to borrow one from teammate Mike Moustakas, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

With Joey Votto out and Moustakas available for pinch-hit duty only, the Reds have had to get creative with their lineups. Most of the time Kyle Farmer has been starting at first. Stephenson gives them an opportunity to perhaps find a little extra power.

Stephenson went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run during Thursday's loss to the Rockies.

Stephenson finally got the Reds on the board with an eighth-inning long ball while pinch hitting against Lucas Gilbreath. Unfortunately, the deficit was still too much for Cincinnati to overcome. Stephenson now has two homers this season while batting .305/.349/.441.

Stephenson is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs.

Stephenson had caught two of the Reds' previous three games, going 3-for-8 between those contests. Though he boasts the more potent bat among the Reds' two catchers, Tucker Barnhart's superior defense should continue to earn him the overwhelming share of starts behind the dish.

Stephenson is playing roughly one-third of the time at catcher behind Tucker Barnhart, though manager David Bell suggested that ratio could change later, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Stephenson is off to a great start with the bat (5-for-12 with a homer), but so is Barnhart, and Barnhart is the better defensive catcher. As the season progresses, and the Reds face more left-handed starters, Stephenson could work himself into more playing time.

Stephenson will return to a bench role for Monday's game against the Pirates.

Though Tucker Barnhart is back behind the plate for the series opener with Pittsburgh, Stephenson may have earned himself a larger share of playing time following a huge game Sunday. Stephenson posted a team-high three hits in the Reds' 12-1 win over the Cardinals, coming around to score three times while also driving in a run. Barnhart's defensive prowess is probably enough to keep him locked in atop the depth chart, but Stephenson's combination of power and on-base skills would likely make him one of the more intriguing fantasy catchers if he can capture a regular role at any point in 2021.

Stephenson looked good blocking balls in the dirt in Tuesday's spring training loss to the Rockies, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The Reds were hesitant to play Stephenson behind the plate last season because of his defense, especially in comparison to the defensive skills of starter Tucker Barnhart. At the plate Stephenson went 0-for-2 with a walk Tuesday and is only 4-for-19 this spring, albeit with three walks. With Curt Casali gone, Stephenson is the clear backup to Barnhart right now.

Stephenson was optioned to the Reds' player pool Wednesday.

Stephenson saw minimal playing time in recent games, and he'll now be removed from the active roster as the regular season winds down. The 24-year-old showed promise over a limited sample this season, slashing .294/.400/.647 with two home runs, six RBI and nine strikeouts over 17 at-bats this season.

Stephenson hit a two-run home run in a pinch-hit at-bat in Game 1 of Monday's doubleheader against the Pirates.

Stephenson was called on with a runner on and two outs, and he delivered his second long ball of the 2020 season. Since being called up Sept. 8, he's 3-for-9 with four RBI and a walk.

Stephenson was recalled by the Reds on Tuesday.

The talented young backstop made his MLB debut back in late july, going 2-for-2 with a homer in his lone game. He doesn't have a clear path to playing time behind the plate down the stretch, with Tucker Barnhart and Curt Casali both healthy, but the Reds likely didn't call him up just to have him stuck on the bench, so he's likely to find his way into the lineup occasionally over the final three weeks.

Stephenson will be on the taxi squad for the Reds' weekend series, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Stephenson homered in his first major-league at-bat Monday but was optioned to the team's alternate training site Wednesday to make room for Mike Moustakas on the active roster. However, the 23-year-old catcher will be available as an emergency option over the weekend as the Reds prepare for their first road series of the season.

Stephenson was optioned to Cincinnati's alternate camp site Wednesday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Stephenson made one appearance during his time with the big club and went 2-for-2 with a walk, a home run, two RBI and two runs scored. Mike Moustakas was reinstated from the injured list in a corresponding move.

Stephenson went 2-for-2 with a walk, a home run, two runs scored and two RBI in Monday's 8-7 loss to the Cubs.

Curt Casali got the start but came out of the game in the seventh inning with the Reds down 7-1, allowing Stephenson to make his major-league debut in a seemingly low-pressure spot. Instead, the 23-year-old keyed a Cincy comeback that fell just short as he launched a solo homer on the second pitch he saw in the bottom of the frame. He then singled in the eighth to kick off a two-out rally and drew a bases-loaded walk off Craig Kimbrel in the ninth to bring the Reds within one run. Casali has started every game to begin the season, but Stephenson's impressive performance should put him in the mix for more work behind the plate.

Stephenson was added to the 30-man roster Sunday, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

The 23-year-old will replace Mike Moustakas (illness) on the roster, who was placed on the injured list Sunday. Tucker Barnhart (paternity) is away from the team, but Stephenson is still unlikely to see significant opportunities with Curt Casali and Kyle Farmer still on the roster.

Stephenson will be a part of the Reds' 60-man player pool this season.

While Stephenson is on the 40-man roster and viewed as the team's catcher of the future, he is unlikely to see a major role in 2020. Tucker Barnhart, Curt Casali and Kyle Farmer are the only catchers who will be training at Great American Ball Park.

The Reds optioned Stephenson to Triple-A Louisville on Sunday.

Cincinnati's top catching prospect wasn't a serious threat to crack the Opening Day roster with all of Tucker Barnhart, Curt Casali and Kyle Farmer ahead of him in the organizational pecking order. The 2015 first-round pick will likely spend the majority of the season at Louisville honing his receiving skills, but Stephenson could get a look in the majors at some point if the Reds are eager to phase out Barnhart in favor of a higher-upside offensive option behind the dish.

Stephenson went 2-for-2 with a homer, double, walk and four RBI in Thursday's spring training win over the Diamondbacks.

Stephenson finally put together a healthy minor league season in 2019 and followed that up with a nice campaign in the Arizona Fall League. He's expected to begin the year in Triple-A Louisville, but if Tucker Barnhart continues to falter at the plate, there's a window for Stephenson to get a chance to take over the job by the summer.