The Reds recalled Stephenson from Triple-A Louisville ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday against the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

Cincinnati optioned reliever Jesus Reyes to Louisville in order to make room on the active roster for Stephenson, who is likely just making a spot start for the big club with the team in need of a temporary sixth starter after playing a doubleheader over the weekend. Though he has mostly struggled in his previous stints in the majors, Stephenson returns to Cincinnati following a highly impressive run at Triple-A. He struck out 13 over six scoreless, one-hit innings his last time out Aug. 3 and has accrued a 1.61 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 68:22 K:BB in 56 innings over his past nine outings.

Stephenson will get the start for the Reds on Wednesday against the Mets, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stephenson has really pulled it together at Triple-A Louisville, posting a 2.87 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 135 strikeouts in 113 innings. He has walked 57 batters, but that walk rate generally has been lower lately. He takes the spot vacated by Tyler Mahle, but it's uncertain if he'll get more starts beyond that, as it gives the Reds six starters again.

Stephenson has gone 6-1 with a 1.67 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 50:14 K:BB over 43 innings in his last seven starts at Triple-A Louisville.

EDGE Analysis

The low walk total may be the most notable aspect of that stat line, as Stephenson's wayward control has long been the biggest hurdle he has had to overcome in his development. A seven-start sample can't be taken as evidence that Stephenson has completely turned the corner, but the hot run might be enough for him to get another look with the Reds in the second half as a starter or multi-inning relief man.

Stephenson was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Thursday, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic Cincinnati reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stephenson opened spring training with a good shot to win one of the final spots in the Reds' rotation, however his lackluster spring performance prompted Cincinnati to send him back to the minors for some more seasoning instead. The former first-round pick, who finished the 2017 season with a 2.50 ERA and 1.27 WHIP across his final 50.1 innings, should be back with the Reds at some point in 2018.

Stephenson allowed two runs over 3.2 innings against the Cubs on Monday night, but as the Dayton Daily News's Hal McCoy reports, he was very lucky to escape with two runs allowed in the first two innings. The Cubs lined into two double plays in the first two innings and ran into another out in that span. Stephenson allowed five hits, two walks, committed a balk and threw a wild pitch.

EDGE Analysis

Making matters worse, Stephenson had to abandon his fastball in the third inning, throwing only sliders and change-ups. Stephenson opened spring training with a decent chance to win an open rotation spot, but he's appeared to drop behind at least Sal Romano and Tyler Mahle, and maybe also Amir Garrett.

Stephenson made it through only two innings in Wednesday's spring training start against the Diamondbacks, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits and two walks. He could not command his breaking pitches, MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince reports. He threw over 30 pitches in the first inning, going to three-ball counts on each of the first five hitters.

EDGE Analysis

There are opportunities to be had in the Reds' rotation, but Stephenson has done very little to claim them. "It's a challenge, for sure," said Stephenson, who has a 9.00 ERA through eight innings. "I definitely want to go out there and prove that I belong in that rotation. And I feel that when I'm pitching the way I should, I definitely do. But the way I have lately, I'm not very happy with it."

Stephenson had his best outing of the spring Thursday against the Rockies, throwing three scoreless innings while allowing one hit and no walks, striking out three. He remains in the starting rotation picture for the Reds, MLB.com's Mark Sheldon reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stephenson did his work mostly against minor leaguers, coming into the game in the sixth inning, but this was nonetheless an encouraging outing. "He was really good, especially because he threw a lot more fastballs," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "He was more acute with the location of his fastball. That was a good thing to see. He had a good slider and split [fingered fastball], but his fastball command did a good job."

Stephenson struggled against the Cubs on Saturday, allowing two earned runs on four hits and three walks over 1.2 innings, continuing to miss with his fastball, MLB.com's Mark Sheldon reports. "He just had a lot of misses and elevated fastballs," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "He just really hasn't gotten into his groove yet. He'll bounce back, I'm sure. He's got good stuff, and he's a better pitch now than he was at this point last year."

EDGE Analysis

While Price is expressing confidence that Stephenson will bounce back, he had similar struggles last season and is off to a slow start compared to Amir Garrett, Tyler Mahle and Sal Romano.

Stephenson allowed three runs on two homers in Monday's spring training debut. Both homers came against his fastball, MLB.com's Mark Sheldon reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stephenson's fastball was a big problem last season - he was 17.1 runs below average last season on that pitch. In a partial defense of Monday's outing, he had previously eschewed live batting practice because of a stiff neck, so he was a step behind other Reds pitchers.

Stephenson (neck) will start for the Reds in their Cactus League matchup against the Diamondbacks on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Stephenson was delayed for a few days at the start of camp after suffering a crick in his neck. The injury wasn't supposed to be serious and the issue appears to have gone away. Provided that there are no reports that the issue is lingering and affecting his performance, he should remain a favorite to grab a starting role this spring.