Stephenson (oblique) went 0-for-3 with two walks and a run scored for Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Stephenson started at catcher and caught nine innings for the third time this week, including back-to-back days Tuesday and Wednesday. He's expected to make at least one more start during the Bats' doubleheader Thursday before the Reds make a decision regarding his activation, MLB.com reports. Stephenson is up to 28 plate appearances while on his rehab assignment.

Reds manager Terry Francona said Monday that Stephenson (oblique) will be re-evaluated at the end of this week, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.

EDGE Analysis

That typically means a player will be activated at that time as long as long as they're performing and feeling well in their rehab games. Stephenson has been out all season with a strained left oblique and is 3-for-17 with one home run in his first five rehab contests with Triple-A Louisville. He caught a full nine innings Sunday, which is the first time he's done so since joining Louisville.

Stephenson (oblique) served as the designated hitter for both ends of Saturday's doubleheader with Triple-A Louisville. He went a combined 1-for-7 with a walk.

EDGE Analysis

Stephenson, who kicked off a rehab assignment Tuesday, was unable to play Thursday and Friday due to rainouts. After playing two seven-inning games Saturday, Stephenson is expected to serve as the DH again Sunday. A three-game weekend is a good test, but he's yet to play a full game as a catcher. That may be something the organization wants to see before activating Stephenson from the 10-day injured list.

Stephenson (oblique) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday. He's gone a combined 1-for-6 with a double, an RBI and two strikeouts in two games.

EDGE Analysis

Stephenson operated as the catcher in both contests and caught five innings in each. With a layoff of over a month, the Reds are unlikely to push the catcher too quickly through the rehab process.

Stephenson (oblique) worked out with Triple-A Louisville this weekend and is expected to begin a rehab assignment Tuesday, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stephenson has been on the 10-day injured list since late in spring training and hasn't played in a game since mid-March. That length of absence suggests he'll require a significant amount of at-bats before rejoining the Reds roster -- maybe 20-to-30 at-bats over a week. As a comparison, the Rangers' Wyatt Langford missed the minimum 10 days and returned Sunday from a less-severe oblique injury after only six at-bats (two games).

Reds manager Terry Francona said Tuesday that Stephenson (oblique) could begin a rehab assignment in one week, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stephenson strained his left oblique back in mid-March but appears to nearly be game-ready. He will require a handful of rehab contests to knock the rust off but should be ready for his season debut before the end of April if all goes well.

Stephenson (oblique) received more good news after undergoing an MRI on Monday, and he'll begin to be more aggressive in his recovery, Pat Brennan of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stephenson is continuing to fight through a left oblique injury, but another MRI showed that he's moving in the right direction. The Reds have yet to disclose a concrete timetable for a return, though he'll likely need to see at least a handful of at-bats in the minors before being activated from the 10-day injured list.

Stephenson (oblique) underwent an MRI last Wednesday that showed his injury was 80 percent healed, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stephenson is scheduled to undergo a second MRI while the Reds on the road -- the trip runs from April 3 to 9 -- and there are no plans for him to travel with the club. In the meantime, Jose Trevino and Austin Wynns will continue to serve as the team's catchers.

The Reds placed Stephenson (oblique) on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Stephenson will be eligible for activation April 3, but it's unclear if he'll be ready to make his season debut by then while he continues to recover from a low-grade left oblique strain. He didn't appear in any Cactus League or exhibition games after suffering the injury in mid-March, so Stephenson will likely need at least a brief minor-league rehab assignment to pick up some at-bats before the Reds are comfortable bringing him back. In the meantime, Cincinnati will lean on Jose Trevino as its primary backstop, while Austin Wynns serves as the No. 2 option behind the dish.

Stephenson (oblique) showed improvement after being examined by a team doctor Friday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stephenson, who will open the regular season on the injured list, sustained a left oblique strain during spring training. He's been cleared to begin rotational exercises and is scheduled to undergo another MRI on Wednesday. If the MRI comes back clean, Stephenson can start doing additional exercises, which could include baseball activities. With Stephenson sidelined, Jose Trevino moves into the starting job at catcher with Austin Wynns serving as the backup, assuming the Reds don't add anyone from outside the organization in the coming days.