3 weeks agoCincinnati Reds catcher
Tyler Stephenson (back) is going for an MRI exam after being scratched from Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Texas Rangers due to lower-back pain, according to manager Terry Francona. The Reds initially said that they thought Stephenson "was going to be fine." The starting backstop has hit .227 with a home run and four walks in 22 official spring training at-bats this year. If his injury turns out to be serious enough to land him on the injured list to open the regular season,
Jose Trevino would be forced into regular playing time behind the dish in Cincy. Fantasy managers will want to check back later for Stephenson's MRI results, but for now he should be considered day-to-day. The 28-year-old had a resurgent 2024 campaign with career-highs in homers (19), RBI (66) and runs (69) and should be considered a top-10 fantasy catcher as long as his back injury isn't anything serious.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Pat Brennan
3 weeks agoCincinnati Reds catcher
Tyler Stephenson (back) was scratched from Wednesday's lineup due to "lower-to-middle back pain." Manager Terry Francona noted that Stephenson will be "fine" and that it did not make sense to have him suit up. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as the team may opt to keep him sidelined for a few days. However, it appears this injury is not serious and will not put him in danger of missing Opening Day. While the 28-year-old kept out of action,
Jose Trevino should see most of the catching duties. Last season, Stephenson enjoyed a career-season as he went deep 19 times and held a .258/.338/.444 line. He generated a strong 43.9 percent hard-hit rate with a 90.2 mph average exit velocity. He should be viewed as a solid low-end No. 1 catcher in all formats playing in a favorable hitting park.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Mark Sheldon
7 months agoCincinnati Reds catcher
Tyler Stephenson greeted
Mitch Keller with a solo home run in the first inning of Friday's 8-3 win over the Pirates, then collected two more hits off of the righty before Keller departed in the bottom of the fourth, ultimately being charged with eight earned runs in the outing. The other two hits were a single and a double, as Stephenson finished 3-for-5 with five RBI and three runs scored in the contest. It was the 28-year-old's third multi-hit game in his last four, and overall he's been a Top-10 option at catcher for fantasy. The former first-round draft pick owns a .265-19-64-67-1 line on the season with a .347 wOBA and 117 wRC+.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
7 months agoCincinnati Reds catcher
Tyler Stephenson recorded a multi-hit game on Friday night, including a solo shot in the first inning, in the Reds' 6-5 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 436 foot bomb off Pirates starter
Bailey Falter was Stephenson's 17th on the season. The 28-year-old has been on a bit of a hot streak in August, hitting for a .943 OPS and smashing six of his 17 homers during the month. Stephenson looks to be a solid under-the-radar candidate for fantasy managers to add for their playoff push, especially with Stephenson's current hot streak in August providing a ton of value. He should continue to get plenty of playing time for the Reds as they work to find their way back into the playoff race. Look for Stephenson to be back in the lineup tomorrow when the Reds face off against Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher
Jake Woodford.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
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