The Cincinnati Reds received a setback on Friday as catcher Tyler Stephenson was placed on the 10-day injured list with a low-grade internal left oblique strain. Manager Terry Francona didn’t provide a specific timeline for Stephenson’s return but admitted that he’s unlikely to be ready for Opening Day.
“That’s a stretch,” Francona said. “We really need to stay away from timetables, because we don’t know.”
The news, first reported by MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon, leaves the Reds with a key hole behind home plate as they prepare to start the season. Stephenson complained of back issues and was scratched from Wednesday’s game against the Texas Rangers. He went for an MRI Thursday.
It’s a low grade left internal oblique strain for Stephenson. Unlikely to be ready for Opening Day, acknowledged Francona.
— Mark Sheldon (@msheldon.bsky.social) March 14, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Tyler Stephenson Has Oblique Injury, To Miss Start of Season
Stephenson, 28, is coming off his most productive season on both sides of the ball. He hit .258 with a .782 OPS, 19 home runs, and 66 RBI over 138 games. He also caught more than 1,000 innings for the first time, solidifying his role as the Reds’ primary catcher. This winter, he avoided arbitration by signing a one-year, $4.9 million deal. A lifetime .267 hitter, he has 50 home runs and 208 RBI in 470 games since the Reds drafted him in 2015.
With Stephenson sidelined, José Trevino steps into the Opening Day catcher role. The Reds acquired the 2022 All-Star from the Yankees in the offseason for reliever Fernando Cruz, valuing his elite defense and strong rapport with pitchers. However, offense remains a question mark. Trevino owns a career .236 batting average with a .637 OPS and 32 home runs over seven seasons. However, his throwing took a dip in 2024. He threw out just 18.6% of base stealers after posting marks of 25.6% and 33.3% in the previous two seasons. However, he remains a plus framer and earns high marks for his ability to block pitches in the dirt.
Meanwhile, journeyman backup Austin Wynns is poised to make the roster as Trevino’s backup. The 34-year-old spent most of 2024 at Triple-A Louisville but impressed in a brief big-league stint, going 7-for-19 with four doubles in seven games for Cincinnati.
Main Photo: © Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
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