The Cincinnati Reds made three roster changes before their series finale against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Catcher Tyler Stephenson began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville as he works his way back from a fractured thumb. Stephenson, who last played on August 15 against Milwaukee, had been struggling offensively before the injury. On his first rehab appearance Wednesday, he went 1-for-3 with a 428-foot, two-run homer, catching seven innings before being lifted from the game.
Left-hander Reiver Sanmartin was optioned back to Louisville after pitching Tuesday night in his first big-league outing since May 2023, when he underwent Tommy John surgery. Sanmartin threw 1.2 innings, allowing an unearned run with one walk and one strikeout. Though effective, he now returns to Triple-A despite posting a dominant 0.84 ERA there since the All-Star break.
Replacing him is right-handed reliever Lyon Richardson, who rejoins the Reds’ bullpen. Richardson has pitched in 33 games this season for Cincinnati, carrying a 3.93 ERA across 36.2 innings. His early-season stretch was strong, but control issues and fatigue led to struggles later on. After a rocky return to Louisville, Richardson has recently regained form, allowing just three runs with 12 strikeouts in his last 8.1 innings.
The Reds’ bullpen continues to shuffle as the club searches for stability during the final stretch of the season.
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