The Cincinnati Reds announced Friday that catcher Tyler Stephenson has been activated from the injured list after missing the entire season to this point with an oblique injury sustained during spring training. However, the good news is tempered by the loss of outfielder Austin Hays, who is heading to the 10-day injured list with a strained left hamstring. His IL stint is retroactive to April 29, according to the team.
With Stephenson back and both Jose Trevino and Austin Wynns performing well behind the plate, the Reds will carry three catchers for now. Stephenson, who also has experience playing first base, could see time there or be utilized as a designated hitter thanks to his offensive value. The 28-year-old rebounded last season after a down year in 2023, posting a .258/.338/.444 slash line with 19 home runs and a 112 wRC+ over 515 plate appearances. Since debuting in 2020, Stephenson owns a career line of .267/.343/.427 (106 wRC+).
Hays, now hitting the injured list for the second time this year, had been red-hot at the plate. He opened the season on the IL with a calf injury in the same leg but returned with a vengeance, slashing .365/.431/.712 and launching five home runs in just 58 plate appearances. He’s also walking at a personal-best rate of 10.3% while keeping his strikeouts to 22.4%.
Hays joins a growing list of injured Reds regulars, including Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Jeimer Candelario, who are both sidelined with back issues. In their absence, the team is expected to use Stephenson and Spencer Steer at first base. The outfield rotation will likely feature TJ Friedl, Jake Fraley, and Gavin Lux — especially against right-handed pitchers — with Steer, Blake Dunn, and Santiago Espinal filling in against lefties.
