Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson has been sidelined with a fractured thumb since mid-August.
However, ahead of Tuesday’s loss to the Blue Jays, manager Terry Francona shared a positive update, indicating encouraging progress in Stephenson’s recovery.
“Stephenson’s actually caught a few times in between innings. He’s been simulating squatting,”Francona told The Enquirer. “He’s caught guys in the bullpen. So, this is not the first” time he’s caught pitchers.
Tyler Stephenson is set to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday, September 3, as he works his way back from a fractured thumb that’s kept him out since mid-August.
With the Reds sitting at 70-69 and five games behind the Mets for the final NL Wild Card spot, the timing of Stephenson’s return could be crucial. He’ll likely look to test his thumb over a game or two in Louisville before rejoining the big-league club for the final stretch of roughly 20 games.
It’s been a down year offensively for Stephenson, who’s batting .226 with nine home runs and 36 RBIs, but his return could still provide a boost behind the plate as Cincinnati fights to stay in the playoff race.
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