Tyler

Stephenson

Stephenson’s home run was his fifth. He hit a solo shot off Michael McGreevy in the third inning. Stephenson also had three hits, raising his average to just .203. Stephenson had one hit in his last 16 at-bats entering play Sunday. Maybe this could be the start of him turning it around at the plate, but he’s not worth rostering in most formats at this point.

Stephenson struck out his other three times up, but one big hit can make up for that kind of thing. The homer was his fourth in 148 plate appearances. Statcast think she’s been rather unlucky, giving him a .406 xSLG versus an actual mark of .285 coming into the day. It gives some hope that he’ll eventually prove useful in two-catcher mixed leagues.

It’s been a slow start to the season for Stephenson, who entered Wednesday’s action with a .184/.280/.282 triple slash. Despite the struggles, he continues to operate as Cincinnati’s primary backstop, with Jose Trevino spelling him on occasion.

Stephenson has driven in just six runs in 32 games. He’s also getting some criticism for a bases-loaded play Thursday in which Ke’Bryan Hayes went for the double play by stepping on third and then throwing home, only Stephenson didn’t see Hayes touch the base and gave the Cubs a run by assuming it was a force play. Stephenson’s exit velocity numbers are actually better than usual, but his pull rate is way down. One imagines he’ll figure it out eventually.

Stephenson provided a key insurance run with an eighth-inning homer off Marlins starter Janson Junk. It was his second round-tripper of the season and was one of just two extra-base hits for the Reds in a low-scoring affair at loanDepot park.

Stephenson’s first homer was 382-footer to right-center that Statcast says would have left seven ballparks. Fortunately, Globe Life Field was one of them. He also had a single in the contest, and he’s now 3-for-17 in six appearances.

It’ll be the second day off for Stephenson on the young campaign. Jose Trivino will catch Brandon Williamson and hit eighth against Bubba Chandler and the Bucs.

Stephenson had been projected by MLBTradeRumors.com to earn $6.4 million via arbitration. The Reds had filed at $6.55 million, so rather than hashing it out and meeting in the middle, they took it to the panel and Stephenson came out on top. The 29-year-old backstop slashed a disappointing .231/.316/.421 with 13 long balls and 50 RBI in 342 plate appearances during the 2025 season.

Stewart will get an opportunity in the heart of Cincinnati’s lineup to face Dodgers co-ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto after coming off the bench during the late stages of Tuesday’s series opener. The 21-year-old top prospect adds some serious thunder to the middle of the order in a win-or-go-home spot for the Reds after homering five times in 18 regular-season contests after being called up in early September. Here’s the full lineup: TJ Friedl (CF), Spencer Steer (LF), Gavin Lux (DH), Austin Hays (RF), Stewart (1B), Elly De La Cruz (SS), Tyler Stephenson (C), Ke’Bryan Hayes (3B) and Matt McLain (2B).

Hays missed seven consecutive games to close out the regular season due to back spasms. The 30-year-old corner outfielder is back in left field and batting cleanup against lefty Blake Snell on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. Here’s the full lineup: TJ Friedl (CF), Noelvi Marte (RF), Miguel Andujar (DH), Hays (LF), Spencer Steer (1B), Elly De La Cruz (SS), Tyler Stephenson (C), Ke’Bryan Hayes (3B) and Matt McLain (2B).