The Cincinnati Reds announced on Friday that they activated catcher Tyler Stephenson (thumb) from the 10-day injured list and optioned catcher Will Banfield to Triple-A Louisville in a corresponding move. The Reds also outrighted right-hander Joe La Sorsa to Louisville. The Reds have not released their starting lineup yet for Friday's series opener against the visiting New York Mets, but Stephenson should be behind the plate against left-hander David Peterson. With Stephenson now back from the IL, it will push veteran Jose Trevino back to a backup role in Cincinnati. Stephenson suffered a fractured left thumb three weeks ago but is already back with the team as they look to get into the postseason in the final month of the regular season. Stephenson hasn't been nearly as good as he was in 2024, as he's hit just .226 with nine homers and 36 RBI in 72 games for Cincy in his sixth MLB season.

Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson (thumb) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday as he recovers from a left thumb fracture. The 29-year-old was placed on the 10-day injured list on August 17 and appears on track to return within the next couple of weeks. Stephenson caught two innings of Chase Burns' simulated bullpen Tuesday and has also been taking batting practice and working additional bullpen sessions. He is slashing .226/.313/.393 with a .706 OPS and nine home runs in his sixth season. The Reds hope his return can spark their push in the NL Wild Card race.

Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson (thumb) successfully took batting practice on Friday. He also did some catching drills, which included taking pitches and blocking balls. He did so using a specially fitted glove that had a thumb guard built into it for added protection. The plan is for him to continue along this upward trend of recovery by slowly increasing the quantity of work being done, so as not to cause a setback and jeopardize the rest of the season. The 29-year-old catcher has had a disappointing season at the plate, sporting a modest .226/.313/.393 slash line. Upon his return, he figures to be the Reds' primary catcher and will look to finish the season off on a positive note.

Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson (thumb) will take batting practice on Friday as he works back from a fractured left thumb. The 29-year-old, who hasn't played since Aug. 15, has been fitted for a padded thumb guard and is on track to return sometime in September. Between multiple injuries (thumb and oblique) and a dip in output from last season, 2025 has been a struggle for Stephenson. He has played in 72 games and batted an underwhelming .226/.313/.393 with nine homers, 36 RBI, and 32 runs scored over 288 plate appearances. However, that's still better offensive production than what backup catcher Jose Trevino has offered. Trevino has hit .246/.283/.377 with four HRs, 20 RBI, and 27 runs in 255 trips to the plate.

Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson (thumb) has been getting himself fitted for a padded thumb guard for his fractured thumb. This guard will then be inserted inside the catcher's mitt, as the team believes that he can play again this season. The 29-year-old catcher suffered an injury to his thumb on August 8, and then re-aggravated it one week later in a game on August 15. It was revealed shortly afterward that he had, in fact, suffered the fracture, and he has been out of action since then. Stephenson has had a disappointing season at the plate. Over his 72 games played, he has mustered a .226 batting average with just nine homers, 36 RBI, and 32 runs scored. The team will likely take a cautious approach to his return.

The Cincinnati Reds announced on Wednesday that they placed catcher Tyler Stephenson (thumb) on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to Aug. 17) with a left-thumb fracture and selected the contract of catcher Will Banfield from Triple-A Louisville in a corresponding move. If Stephenson requires surgery on his thumb, it's possible he won't be back again during the 2025 regular season. In the meantime, the Reds will move forward with Jose Trevino as their starting catcher, with Banfield backing him up. It's been a disappointing and injury-plagued year for the 29-year-old Stephenson, who has hit .226/.313/.393 with a .705 OPS, nine home runs, 36 RBI and 32 runs scored in 252 at-bats. The 32-year-old Trevino won't be an option in single-catcher leagues, as he's hitting .256 (56-for-219) with four homres and 19 RBI in his first year in Cincy.

Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson (thumb) will miss his fourth straight game on Tuesday as a result of a sore left thumb. Jose Trevino will do the catching and hit seventh against Los Angeles Angels right-hander Kyle Hendricks. Stephenson, who hasn't played since last Friday, has hit a woeful 3-for-27 (.111) with one home run and two RBI in eight games this month. This has been a disappointing campaign overall for the 29-year-old, owner of a .226/.313/.393 line with nine homers, 36 RBI, and 32 runs scored across 288 plate appearances.

Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson (thumb) is out of the starting lineup for Monday's series opener in Anaheim against the hosting Los Angeles Angels. Jose Trevino is doing the catching for right-hander Brady Singer and will bat seventh against Angels right-hander Victor Mederos. For now, the Reds are considering Stephenson as day-to-day with a sore left thumb. Check back on Tuesday to see if he's available to return in Game 2 of the series versus the Halos. The former 11th overall pick in 2015 has only played in 72 games in 2025 in his sixth year in the big leagues. Stephenson is still Cincy's primary catcher, but while battling injuries, he's hit a disappointing .226 (57-for-252) with nine home runs, 36 RBI and 32 runs scored in 288 trips to the plate. Since the All-Star break, he's gone 13-for-62 (.210) with three homers, four RBI, nine runs and 22 strikeouts in 18 games.

Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson (thumb) sat out of Sunday's contest and was available in case of an emergency after injuring his thumb during the series in Pittsburgh on August 8 and re-aggravated it on August 15 against the Brewers. Jose Trevino replaced him behind the dish and would continue to do so if Stephenson needs additional time. It appears that Stephenson has been experiencing thumb discomfort for weeks, which may explain some of his struggles at the plate. Over his last seven games, he's gone 0-for-11 and only gotten on base one time. On the season, he is also slashing a poor .226/.313/.393 with nine home runs, 36 RBI, and 32 runs scored. At this time, Stephenson is not a recommended fantasy option and can remain on the waiver wire in all formats.

Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson is out of the starting lineup ahead of Thursday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. This appears to be a routine rest day for Stephenson who has been in a mini slump lately. Over the last three games, Stephenson is 1-for-9 at the plate with one home run, one RBI, and two walks. Stephenson has played quite a bit lately, so he deserves a rest day. Jose Trevino will take over the catching duties and bat eighth versus right-hander Paul Skenes on Thursday.

Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson is out of the starting lineup for Thursday's contest against the visiting Miami Marlins at Great American Ball Park. Jose Trevino is doing the catching for left-hander Nick Lodolo and will bat seventh against Marlins right-hander Cal Quantrill. Stephenson has been struggling offensively of late, going 6-for-33 (.182) with a double, three RBI, seven walks and 14 strikeouts in 42 plate appearances over 12 games since June 24. The 28-year-old is still Cincy's primary backstop, but fantasy managers may want to stay away until he shows some signs of breaking out of his current funk at the plate. Trevino has been solid in 2025 for the Reds while hitting .283 (47-for-166), but he has only four home runs and 14 RBI. The 32-year-old has a solo home run in just three career at-bats against Lodolo.

Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson and first baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand are out of the starting lineup ahead of Wednesday's game against the Minnesota Twins. Stephenson will take a seat after starting in four of the last five games, in which four of them were behind the plate. Jose Trevino will take over behind the plate and bat sixth versus right-hander Bailey Ober. Spencer Steer and Santiago Espinal will cover the corner infield spots with Encarnacion-Strand getting a rest day after going 0-for-8 over his last two games. Fantasy managers should adjust their lineups accordingly with these two sitting out.

Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson helped lead the team's offensive barrage in an 11-1 blowout of the Detroit Tigers on Saturday. With the Reds leading 2-1 in the top of the fifth inning, Stephenson stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and connected on a grand slam against right-hander Jack Flaherty. Stephenson added a double and an additional run scored in a 2-for-5 afternoon. An oblique injury sidelined Stephenson through April, but the 28-year-old has logged quality production since he made his season debut May 2. Stephenson is hitting .262/.336/.475 with six homers and 22 RBI in 137 plate appearances. However, Stephenson's 35% strikeout rate (up from 22.7 last year) and unsustainable .377 batting average on balls in play point to negative regression. He tallied two more strikeouts Saturday in an otherwise excellent performance.

Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson had a great game at the plate in Monday's 7-4 win over the Royals. Stephenson went 3-for-5 with two singles, a two-run home run, and three RBI. The 28-year-old crushed a fifth-inning Michael Lorenzen fastball into the left-field bullpen for his second long ball of the season. Stephenson has had an underwhelming offensive season so far, slashing .209/.312/.373 with two HR and nine RBI in 77 plate appearances, although he did miss time at the start of the season with a left oblique strain. He has been useful at times throughout his fantasy career, but fantasy managers may want to see him produce more consistently before turning to him unless they are in deeper two-catcher leagues.

Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson and outfielder Spencer Steer are not in Sunday's lineup when they conclude a series against the Chicago Cubs. Stephenson has been in the starting nine in each of the past six games. During this stretch, the backstop posted a .150/.292/.250 slash line with two doubles. This afternoon, Jose Trevino will be behind the dish and will bat in the six-hole. Steer has been a staple of the starting nine throughout the campaign but will get the day off. Over his last 12 games, Steer has tallied at least one hit in each contest. During this productive stretch, Steer has held a strong .357/.386/.548 slash line. With Steer sitting out, Connor Joe will enter the lineup. The Reds are a strong target in DFS facing Chicago right-hander Ben Brown, who carries a high 5.44 ERA.

Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson will retreat to the bench for Wednesday's game against the visiting Chicago White Sox at Great American Ball Park. Veteran Jose Trevino will do the catching for left-hander Nick Lodolo and will bat sixth against White Sox right-hander Davis Martin. Stephenson got a late start to the 2025 season due to injury and has yet to find his footing offensively after he hit a career-high 19 home runs and drove in a career-high 66 runs in 138 games in 2024. Through his first 10 games in 2025, the 28-year-old backstop has gone just 7-for-34 (.206) with a homer, five RBI and four runs scored in 40 trips to the plate. Trevino, who was serving as Cincy's starting catcher when Stephenson was on the injured list, has been much better with a .307 average (27-for-88) with three homers, 10 RBI and 15 runs scored.

Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson (oblique) was activated off the 10-day injured list prior to Friday's game against the Washington Nationals. In a corresponding move, the Reds placed outfielder Austin Hays (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list. Stephenson has been sidelined through the first month of the campaign but should be in line to make his long-awaited season debut on Friday. Last season, the backstop posted a solid .258/.338/.444 slash line with 19 home runs and one stolen base. Under the hood, he generated a solid 43.9 percent hard-hit rate with a 9.1 percent barrel rate, which were both above the average marks. He also drew walks at a 9.3 percent rate. Fantasy managers should expect Stephenson to operate as the top backstop in Cincinnati for the remainder of the season. However, he is best to fade in DFS this evening facing Mitchell Parker, who enters this contest with a 2.65 ERA.

Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson (oblique) is starting his minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer's Gordon Wittenmyer. Stephenson worked out with Louisville over the weekend and is now ready to return to game action this week. The 28-year-old backstop hasn't played in a game since spring training in mid-March and opened the year on the 10-day injured list, so the Reds won't rush him back. In the meantime, veteran Jose Trevino will continue to operate as Cincy's primary catcher at the major-league level, with Austin Wynns backing him up. Although he has yet to make is 2025 debut, Stephenson is worth stashing in all fantasy leagues as one of the better power-hitting catchers in the league when he's healthy. He had a career-high 19 long balls and drove in 66 runs in 138 games in 2024.

Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson (oblique) could start a minor-league rehab assignment next Tuesday, according to manager Terry Francona. Stephenson is getting closer to making his 2025 debut with the Reds after suffering a left-oblique strain in mid-March in spring training. Barring a setback to his oblique when he resumes playing in games, the 28-year-old backstop could rejoin the big-league squad late next week. Stephenson is the Reds' starting catcher when healthy and should be stashed in all fantasy formats right now. Until he's activated from the injured list, Cincy will continue to roll with veteran Jose Trevino as their No. 1 catcher, with Austin Wynns backing him up. Last year in 138 games played, Stephenson hit a career-high 19 home runs and drove in a career-high 66 runs while slashing .258/.338/.444.

Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that catcher Tyler Stephenson (oblique) was "revved up" after his MRI exam on Monday, which yielded favorable results. Stephenson will now be more aggressive in his recovery from a left-oblique injury that he suffered in spring training and caused him to open the 2025 regular season on the injured list. The 28-year-old backstop will need to eventually go on at least a short minor-league rehab assignment, but barring a setback with his oblique injury, he could be able to make his season debut before April ends. When he's healthy, Stephenson will be Cincy's primary catcher, and he has appeal as a No. 1 catcher in all fantasy leagues. Until he returns, the Reds will continue to move forward with veteran Jose Trevino as their starter behind the dish with Austin Wynns backing him up.