Stephenson is a candidate to start Saturday's game against the Marlins, John Fay of WCPO.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Reds are not yet listing a probable starter for Saturday, but Stephenson would be on normal rest, having last pitched for Triple-A Louisville on Monday. Manager Bryan Price said the team is pleased with what its seen from Stephenson at Louisville since his demotion in late May, and indeed the numbers in eight appearances (seven starts) are impressive. Cincinnati may also consider starting Michael Lorenzen on Saturday, making it a bullpen game.

Stephenson was fantastic Wednesday for Triple-A Louisville, allowing two runs over 7.2 innings, striking out eight while not allowing a walk, the Cincinnati Enquirer's Zach Buchanan reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stephenson had struggled some with his control with Louisville prior to this outing, having allowed 12 walks over 18.2 innings. The Reds passed him and Cody Reed over when they called up Luis Castillo in part because of their respective control issues. There's a reasonable chance he'll be back up with the Reds, as a starter even, later on this season with continued progress.

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

EDGE Analysis

Stephenson will head back to Louisville after compiling an 8.03 ERA and 27:16 K:BB over 24.2 innings of relief with the big club. The former first-round pick worked primarily as a starter before this season, so it's possible that he will be stretched back out as a starter with Louisville.

Stephenson might get sent down to Triple-A Louisville later this season to get stretched out as a starter, MLB.com's Mark Sheldon speculates.

EDGE Analysis

This doesn't appear to be imminent, and in fact Sheldon's comment was spurred by a reader question. But this isn't a surprise, given Stephenson's draft pedigree and usage in the minors. He's coming off of a rough relief outing in Milwaukee, having given up five runs (four earned) over two-thirds of an inning Tuesday.

Stephenson pitched three innings in relief of Brandon Finnegan on Saturday, allowing just one run on a Eric Thames homer. He struck out five, walked one and allowed three hits.

EDGE Analysis

Stephenson came up big after Finnegan pitched just one inning Saturday. Right now there's no talk of moving Stephenson back to the rotation after Finnegan hit the DL, but Stephenson had two good outings this week after a bumpy debut. The Reds would prefer for him to continue his development in this fashion if possible.

Stephenson made his 2017 debut Saturday against the Cardinals and allowed four runs on a whopping six walks (one intentional) over 1.2 innings. Reds manager Bryan Price told the Cincinnati Enquirer that Stephenson's control problems were due to a return of bad habits with his delivery.

EDGE Analysis

About the only good that came out of Stephenson's outing was that four outs were recorded via strikeouts, indicating that he has good stuff. But he threw 33 balls as opposed to 26 strikes. The Reds will continue to keep him in low leverage situations until he can considerably improve his command.

Stephenson has made the Reds' Opening Day roster as a reliever, C. Trent Rosencrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Despite a rough spring performance in which he posted a 5.63 ERA over 16 innings pitched, the Reds saw enough in Stephenson to add him to the 25-man roster. The 24-year-old will likely operate in a low-leverage relief role to begin the season.

Stephenson gave up four runs on six hits and two walks over four-plus innings in his final spring training outing of the year Saturday against the Cubs, striking out three. The game was played in Las Vegas, a notorious hitters' park where the wind was blowing out to right field, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stephenson finishes spring training with a 5.63 ERA and 1.44 WHIP over 16 innings in major league spring training games. The overall stats have to be just a small part of the decision making process for the Reds, given the small sample. But Amir Garrett and Cody Reed had better springs, and arguably Sal Romano's spring training performance could also persuade the Reds to find a spot for him. Part of their process will have to be based on whether they believe Bronson Arroyo can handle the rigors of major league competition again.

Stephenson threw two perfect innings against the Cubs on Friday, striking out four of the six batters he faced. All four of Stephenson's strikeouts came on curveballs, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stephenson wanted to work on two things this spring - using his curveball and throwing inside more. At least in this outing, he accomplished that. Given how poorly his previous start went, giving up four runs in one inning, he needed this outcome.

Stephenson will compete for the fifth spot in the Reds' rotation in spring training, the Cincinnati Enquirer's Zach Buchanan reports.

EDGE Analysis

While he maintains his prospect eligibility entering his age-24 season, Stephenson's prospect star has crashed and burned, as he has been unable to fix his control issues at Triple-A or in the big leagues. He posted a 6.50 FIP and 31:19 K:BB in 37 innings (eight starts) with the Reds last year and has posted walk rates above 11 percent at every stop above High-A. His changeup and curveball were effective offerings, but hitters posted a 205 wRC+ against his 93 mph fastball. He will need to significantly improve his command of that pitch if he has any hope of making it as a starter. Stephenson will compete with Cody Reed and Amir Garrett for the fifth spot in the rotation, with Tim Adleman serving as a fall-back option if the three youngsters don't impress in spring training.