Tyler

Stephenson

Stephenson had been projected by MLBTradeRumors.com to earn $6.4 million via arbitration. The Reds had filed at $6.55 million, so rather than hashing it out and meeting in the middle, they took it to the panel and Stephenson came out on top. The 29-year-old backstop slashed a disappointing .231/.316/.421 with 13 long balls and 50 RBI in 342 plate appearances during the 2025 season.

Stewart will get an opportunity in the heart of Cincinnati’s lineup to face Dodgers co-ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto after coming off the bench during the late stages of Tuesday’s series opener. The 21-year-old top prospect adds some serious thunder to the middle of the order in a win-or-go-home spot for the Reds after homering five times in 18 regular-season contests after being called up in early September. Here’s the full lineup: TJ Friedl (CF), Spencer Steer (LF), Gavin Lux (DH), Austin Hays (RF), Stewart (1B), Elly De La Cruz (SS), Tyler Stephenson (C), Ke’Bryan Hayes (3B) and Matt McLain (2B).

Hays missed seven consecutive games to close out the regular season due to back spasms. The 30-year-old corner outfielder is back in left field and batting cleanup against lefty Blake Snell on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. Here’s the full lineup: TJ Friedl (CF), Noelvi Marte (RF), Miguel Andujar (DH), Hays (LF), Spencer Steer (1B), Elly De La Cruz (SS), Tyler Stephenson (C), Ke’Bryan Hayes (3B) and Matt McLain (2B).

Stephenson was briefly the hero in this game when he launched a game-tying home run in the bottom of the ninth inning against Pirates’ closer Dennis Santana. His squad wound up falling short in extras, so the mystique of that long ball faded, but Stephenson still enjoyed the first four-hit game of his career.

Stephenson drew a walk in the second inning, then came up in a big spot for the Reds in the eighth as he took Andrew Kittredge deep for a two-run blast to extend the lead to three. It was the 12th home run of the season for the 29-year-old backstop. He’s slashing .224/.310/.409 across 326 plate appearances.

Stephenson came through for the Reds in a clutch moment on Tuesday. With the game tied and a runner on in the ninth, he took Robert Suarez deep for a go-ahead, two-run blast. It was the tenth home run of the season for the 29-year-old catcher. He’s hitting .225/.311/.401 with 40 RBI across 299 plate appearances.

In his first game back from a fractured thumb, Stephenson got his Reds back into the game with a two-run double in the fourth inning after they’d fallen behind 5-1. He came around to score just after on a sacrifice fly from Ke’Bryan Hayes, and that was somehow the last run that would come home in this game. Still, it was nice to see him breakthrough immediately upon returning.

Stephenson missed three weeks with a thumb fracture. He went 2-for-5 with a homer in two rehab games with Triple-A Louisville. He rates as a solid No. 2 in two-catcher mixed leagues.

Stephenson has been out since August 17th with a fractured thumb, so it’s been a relatively quick return for the 29-year-old. We’ll need to see how his thumb holds up to catching and hitting during his rehab games before determining how much fantasy value he’ll have down the stretch.

Stephenson sat out four games before the fracture was discovered. It’s a big loss for the Reds, but they do have the reliable Jose Trevino to fill in behind the plate and Will Banfield was promoted to serve as the backup. Stephenson was hitting .226/.313/.393 with nine homers in 288 plate appearances. He might be back sometime next month, but it seems safe to drop him in mixed leagues.