Stephenson allowed four runs on five hits in just three innings, but he took a no-decision in Cincinnati's victory over Pittsburgh on Saturday. He also struck out two and walked two.

EDGE Analysis

The 23-year-old had the roughest outing of his young career, spotting the Pirates four runs in the first three innings, but the Reds tied the game with four runs in the fourth and then took the lead with three runs in the fifth. Stephenson is 2-1 with a 4.43 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 15 strikeouts in 20.1 innings this season. His next scheduled start is Friday again against the Pirates.

Stephenson (2-1) took the loss on Monday, despite holding the Mets to two runs in 5.1 innings. He gave up six hits, walked one, and struck out nine.

EDGE Analysis

Stephenson recorded a 4.41 ERA at Triple-A Louisville, but has performed well in three starts at the major league level. The 23-year-old will look to build off of his strong start Monday when he takes the ball again on Sunday in Pittsburgh.

Stephenson will start Monday's game against the Mets, C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stephenson has started two games for the Reds this season, picking up a win in both. Over 12 innings, he's allowed four runs off five hits and four walks. However, he's been subpar at Triple-A Louisville, where he owns a 4.41 ERA and 1.36 WHIP after 24 starts.

Stephenson was recalled from Triple-A Louisville on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Stephenson has had two of his best starts of the year for Triple-A Louisville over his last two outings, but he still allowed three walks in each contest, which remains a big problem for him. It is unclear how the Reds plan to deploy Stephenson in September, but even if he gets a shot in the rotation, it's hard to point to a specific reason why he would be worth a look in standard leagues, other than the fact that he used to be a top prospect.

Stephenson continues to struggle with his command at Triple-A Louisville, and he has conceded that it's become a mental issue for him, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stephenson has posted disappointing ratios this year - 4.58 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and 113:68 K:BB over 129.2 innings. He might still get a September promotion, but it's not at all certain that he'll begin 2017 in the majors.

The Reds decided to insert Daniel Wright into the rotation for Alfredo Simon, rather than promoting Stephenson or Cody Reed.

EDGE Analysis

Stephenson pitched for Triple-A Louisville on Saturday, and while he allowed just one run over six innings, he struck out just two while walking three, a line emblematic of his experience at Louisville this year. Over 65.2 innings, he has a 3.29 ERA, but a 50:33 K:BB. That walk rate, coupled by a lack of dominance against Triple-A hitters, suggests that he could struggle upon promotion with the Reds.

Manager Bryan Price indicated Wednesday that Stephenson could be joining the Reds soon, John Fay of the Cinicnnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Fay indicates that Stephenson and another top pitching prospect in Cody Reed are both candidates to join the big league club, but didn't specify whether both or which of the two would be doing so. The team will announce the move if or when it is made official, so expect another update at that point.

Stephenson is 3-2 with a 3.02 ERA and 1.26 WHIP through seven starts at Triple-A Louisville this season.

EDGE Analysis

The Reds' 2011 first-round pick finally broke into the majors this season for two solid starts before being sent back to Triple-A to continue to work on his game. Stephenson has shown a lot of promise and is considered the Reds' number three prospect. He could be in line for another call up later in the season should the Reds need additional pitching help.

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.

Stephenson has been recalled from Triple-A Louisville and will get the start Tuesday against the Rockies.

EDGE Analysis

Scheduled starter Alfredo Simon was scratched from his start earlier Tuesday due to right biceps tendinitis, so the Reds have opted to recall the 23-year-old Stephenson to make the spot start. Stephenson made one start earlier in the season, allowing three runs (including two home runs) over 5.0 innings of work. He'll have the tough task of facing an explosive Rockies lineup Tuesday. Given that Simon is expected to return to the rotation for his next scheduled start, this could be a relatively short stint for Stephenson.