Stephenson (undisclosed) was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Stephenson landed on the COVID-19 IL on Monday, but his brief absence suggests that he didn't test positive for the virus. The 25-year-old is in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Pirates, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

The Reds placed Stephenson on the injured list without a designation Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Though Stephenson typically starts against left-handed pitchers, he wasn't included in the lineup for Cincinnati's series opener Monday with the Pirates, who are starting southpaw Dillon Peters. Stephenson's move to the IL explains why he was absent from the lineup, and the lack of a designation attached to his name implies that he's been ruled out for a reason related to COVID-19. Cincinnati called up Mark Kolozsvary from Triple-A Louisville to serve as the No. 2 catcher behind Tucker Barnhart while Stephenson is on the shelf.

Stephenson is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

With four starts in the Reds' previous six games, Stephenson has seen an uptick in playing time lately, but that's mostly been a byproduct of Cincinnati facing a lefty-heavy slate. Stephenson will be on the bench for the second game in a row with the Reds matching up another righty (Alec Mills) in the series finale, affording No. 1 backstop Tucker Barnhart a turn behind the plate.

Stephenson went 1-for-1 with a two-run homer in Sunday's 7-4 win over the Phillies.

EDGE Analysis

Stephenson was out of the lineup for the second time in the last three games, but he entered the contest in the eighth inning and blasted his ninth home run of the season. The 24-year-old is in the midst of a power surge across his last three appearances, and he's gone 5-for-9 with three home runs, four RBI and four runs during that time.

Stephenson went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Saturday's 6-1 loss to the Phillies.

EDGE Analysis

He spoiled a bid for a combined no-hitter, much less a combined shutout, by taking Archie Bradley deep to lead off the eighth inning. Stephenson has homered in consecutive starts, giving him eight long balls on the season, and he's batting an impressive .323 (10-for-31) through 11 games in August.

Stephenson went 3-for-5 with a solo home run in Thursday's win over Atlanta.

EDGE Analysis

Stephenson took Edgar Santana deep in the ninth inning for his seventh homer of the year. He also picked up a double and a single en route to a season-best six total bases. It's been perhaps overshadowed by the breakouts of teammates Jesse Winker and Jonathan India, and the second-half resurgence of veteran Joey Votto, but the 24-year-old Stephenson has emerged as an important bat in the Reds lineup, slashing .287/.373/.429 with 35 RBI in 295 plate appearances.

Stephenson (hamstring) went 1-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Sunday's 3-2 win over Pittsburgh.

EDGE Analysis

The catcher's scoring contributions came in the fourth inning when he drove in a run on a fielder's choice and scored on a Kyle Farmer double. Stephenson missed two games with the hamstring injury, but he should go back to splitting time with Tucker Barnhart behind the plate. Through 281 plate appearances, Stephenson has a .282/.370/.419 slash line, six home runs, 34 RBI, 44 runs scored and 15 doubles.

Stephenson (hamstring) will start at catcher and bat fifth Sunday against the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

Just as manger David Bell said would be the case, the hamstring issue that forced Stephenson out of Thursday's 7-4 win in the series opener won't result in the young backstop landing on the injured list. He'll draw back into the lineup after sitting the past two days, spelling Tucker Barnhart behind the dish.

Manager David Bell announced Friday that Stephenson (hamstring) won't need to go on the injured list, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stephenson left Thursday's game with what was initially described as a hamstring cramp, and further evaluation confirmed that he didn't suffer any sort of more serious injury. Given Bell's update, Stephenson could have a chance of being available off the bench Friday, and the backstop should be ready to start behind the plate when next called upon.

Stephenson left Thursday's game in the sixth inning with a hamstring cramp, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The exit was termed precautionary, which makes sense given the label as a cramp. Assuming Stephenson isn't dealing with anything more serious, he should be back in action soon. Tucker Barnhart replaced Stephenson behind the plate.