Stephenson will open the season on the 10-day injured list after being diagnosed with a low-grade oblique strain, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stephenson underwent tests for what had been described as a back injury, but an MRI revealed a strain to his oblique. That the strain is considered minor gives Stephenson a chance to keep his IL stint brief, but oblique issues can linger. With Stephenson out, Jose Trevino will open the season as the Reds' top catcher. Cincinnati has just two catchers on its 40-man roster, which leaves non-roster invitee Austin Wynns as a good bet to be the No. 2 backstop when camp breaks.

Stephenson will undergo an MRI on his injured back Thursday, Pat Brennan of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stephenson had to be scratched from Wednesday's Cactus League lineup against the Rangers. Reds manager Terry Francona downplayed the injury at the time, but it seems Stephenson hasn't bounced back as quickly as hoped, necessitating the MRI. Francona said the team should have an update on Stephenson's condition later Thursday or Friday.

Stephenson was scratched from Wednesday's lineup because of lower-to-mid back pain, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stephenson was scheduled to be the designated hitter and was replaced by Blake Dunn. Cincinnati manager Terry Francona downplayed the injury, indicating Stephenson will be fine and that there was no need to push him.

New Reds manager Terry Francona doesn't intend to use Stephenson as a first baseman on days he's not catching, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stephenson will still get some reps at DH when Jose Trevino is behind the plate, but Francona wants to keep Stephenson off the field when he's not catching. The practical consequence of this is that Stephenson could get a handful fewer plate appearances, especially with the Reds carrying a legitimate backup in Trevino.

Stephenson agreed to a one-year, $4.925 million contract with the Reds on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stephenson receives a $2.4 million raise in his second year of arbitration eligibility after slashing .258/.338/.444 and setting new career highs with 19 homers, 69 runs scored and 66 RBI in 2024. The Reds' offseason acquisition of Jose Trevino shouldn't cut too much into Stephenson's playing time, and the 28-year-old still projects as one of the better offensive backstops in the majors.

Stephenson went 3-for-5 with a home run, a double, five RBI and three total runs scored in Friday's 8-3 win over the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

Stephenson opened the scoring with a solo home run off Mitch Keller in the first inning before driving in three more runs with a bases-clearing double in the third. Stephenson would pick up a fifth RBI with his third hit in the fourth. The 28-year-old catcher has gone 8-for-14 over his last five games, boosting his slash line to .265/.344/.459 on the season with 19 homers, 64 RBI and 67 runs scored across 486 plate appearances.

Stephenson is absent from Thursday's lineup versus Atlanta.

EDGE Analysis

Stephenson started the first two games of the series and had made six straight starts overall, but he'll be given some rest during Thursday's afternoon contest. Luke Maile will do the catching for the Reds.

Stephenson is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game in St. Louis.

EDGE Analysis

Stephenson had started eight of the last nine contests, including the series opener Tuesday, but he'll begin Wednesday's contest on the bench. Luke Maile will handle catching duties for the Reds.

Stephenson is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

Stephenson will take a seat Sunday after going 1-for-6 with three strikeouts over the first two games of the series. Luke Maile will start behind home plate and bat ninth against Mets right-hander Luis Severino.

Stephenson went 2-for-4 with three RBI in Wednesday's 12-5 win over the Astros.

EDGE Analysis

Stephenson capped the scoring in the Reds' nine-run first inning with a two-run single and later singled in a run in the third. The three-RBI game elevated him to a career-high 58 for the season.