Tyler Stephenson's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said on Friday that catcher Tyler Stephenson (undisclosed) is dealing with an undisclosed injury and is listed as day-to-day. Stephenson is not in the starting lineup on Friday against the visiting Boston Red Sox. Instead, Luke Maile will be the backstop and will bat ninth against Red Sox right-hander Kutter Crawford. The Reds called up minor-league catcher Austin Wynns for Friday's game for extra catching insurance with Stephenson banged up. Friday's game will be the second straight missed game for the 27-year-old Stephenson. We should have more information on what exactly is bothering the Reds' starting catcher, but for now, fantasy managers need to keep him out of their lineups. Stephenson is currently slashing .245/.324/.399 with six homers, 22 RBI and 27 runs scored for the Reds in 188 at-bats in 2024.

Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson (hand) said he had X-rays on his right hand after Thursday's 8-4 win over the visiting division-rival Chicago Cubs, and they came back negative. Stephenson was hit by a pitch in the sixth inning of Thursday's contest but remained in the game and finished 2-for-2 with two singles, a walk and two runs scored to raise his season batting average to .267 and his OPS to .772. The 27-year-old backstop had precautionary X-rays on his hand, but it looks like he's in the clear. Stephenson should be fine to play on Friday in the second game of the series against the Cubbies, but fantasy managers may want to double-check Cincy's lineup. The former 11th overall pick in 2015 out of a Georgia high school isn't flashy but is on pace to set a new career-high in homers if he can stay healthy.

As expected, Cincinnati Reds first baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand (hand) and catcher Tyler Stephenson (hand) are both back in the lineup on Friday against the visiting Baltimore Orioles and left-hander Cole Irvin. Encarnacion-Strand is at first base and batting fifth, while Stephenson is behind the plate and batting cleanup. Both Encarnacion-Strand and Stephenson hadn't played since being hit by pitches last weekend. After hitting 13 homers in 63 games in his rookie season last year, CES has been a disappointment so far in 2024, slashing .196/.222/.314 with two homers and 16 RBI in 25 games. Stephenson will return to a .231/.338/.415 slash line with three homers and 10 RBI. Neither Encarnacion-Strand nor Stephenson have faced Irvin in their careers.

Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said he thinks both first baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand (hand) and catcher Tyler Stephenson (hand) will be able to return on Friday against the Baltimore Orioles after the team's scheduled off day on Thursday. Both Encarnacion-Strand and Stephenson missed their fourth straight game on Wednesday in the series finale against the San Diego Padres after both players were hit by pitches last Saturday. Encarnacion-Strand was hit on his left hand, while Stephenson was hit on his right hand. Bell said the injured list isn't a consideration for either player. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Friday to see if both players are actually back in action for the Reds. The 24-year-old Encarnacion-Strand is the more appealing power option in fantasy, but he's off to a slow start with a .196/.222/.314 slash line and two homers so far in 2024.

Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson (wrist) remains out of the starting lineup ahead of Tuesday's game against the San Diego Padres. Stephenson will miss his third straight game due to a lingering wrist issue. The assumption is that Stephenson is day-to-day and should return later this week. It'll be Luke Maile handling the catching duties versus right-hander Yu Darvish on Tuesday.