Stephenson will be optioned back to Triple-A Louisville following Tuesday's start against the Rockies, the Cincinnati Enquirer's C. Trent Rosecrans reports.

EDGE Analysis

The hard-throwing righty prospect had a good showing Tuesday, allowing one run on three hits and two walks while striking out three over seven innings, but it was not enough to keep him up with the big club. There are undoubtedly some things that don't jump off the box score that Stephenson could work on at Triple-A, but now that he has been solid in two big league starts this year, it seems inevitable that he will be back up sooner than later. Alfred Simon will presumably return to the rotation after missing a start with biceps tendinitis.