The Cincinnati Reds have placed outfielder Austin Hays on the 10-day injured list due to a strained left hamstring and reinstated catcher Tyler Stephenson on Friday.
Hays, who has been hitting .365 with five home runs and 13 RBIs over 13 games, sustained the injury while running the bases during Monday’s 3-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. The Reds backdated Hays’ IL stint to Tuesday.
Stephenson, who has been out since the start of the season with a left oblique strain, played in 138 games last year, primarily as a catcher (127 games).
“We’re excited to have Stephenson back. He’s a key part of our plans,” Reds manager Terry Francona said prior to Friday’s game against the Nationals. “With Hays out, his veteran presence and right-handed bat are even more valuable.”
In 2024, Stephenson posted career-best numbers with 26 doubles, 19 homers, and 66 RBIs. He’ll now share catching duties with Jose Trevino and Austin Wynns.
On Sunday, April 27, in Denver, Hays drove in a run with a groundout off Colorado Rockies pitcher Bradley Blalock.
Trevino, brought in as a backup for Stephenson, is hitting .324, while Wynns is batting .394 over 12 games in a reserve role.
Francona acknowledged that carrying three catchers isn’t a long-term plan. “It gives us flexibility, like pinch-running when we use a catcher as DH,” he said. “We were worried leaving camp, but the other guys stepped up.”
Francona also dismissed the possibility of using Stephenson at first base.
