Tyler Stephenson’s Injury Forces Reds to Call Up Will Banfield
The Cincinnati Reds suffered a blow behind the plate after placing veteran catcher Tyler Stephenson on the 10-day injured list with a fractured left thumb. The move, retroactive to August 17, leaves the team without one of its most reliable defensive presences and veteran leaders during a crucial stretch of the season.
Stephenson, 29, had been dealing with discomfort for several days before further testing revealed the fracture. While the timeline for his return has not yet been made official, thumb injuries for catchers often take weeks—and sometimes longer—to heal, given the heavy demands of the position. Losing Stephenson is a significant setback not only for his game-calling ability but also for the stability he provides to a young pitching staff.
In response, the Reds promoted catcher Will Banfield from Triple-A Louisville. Banfield, 25, has been one of the organization’s more intriguing depth options at the position. Known primarily for his strong defensive skills and ability to control the running game, Banfield has shown steady improvement with the bat this season. At Louisville, he posted a solid OPS while throwing out 35% of attempted base stealers, making him a strong candidate to step in immediately.
Manager David Bell acknowledged the challenge of losing Stephenson at such a pivotal time:
“Tyler’s leadership and toughness can’t really be replaced. But we have a lot of confidence in Will, and this is a big opportunity for him to show what he can do at the major league level.”
The Reds will likely lean on Banfield in a platoon role, sharing duties with fellow catcher Luke Maile, who has handled the staff effectively throughout the year. Together, the duo will be tasked with navigating a pitching rotation that just welcomed back Hunter Greene and continues to push for consistency as the Reds fight to stay in the NL wild-card race.
For Banfield, this marks his first real chance to prove himself on the big stage. For the Reds, it’s another test of their depth in a season that has already seen its share of injuries and lineup shuffling.
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