Reds Lose Starting Catcher to Thumb Fracture, Call Up Replacement
The Cincinnati Reds announced that their primary catcher has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a fractured thumb. To fill the roster spot, the team selected catcher Will Banfield from Triple-A. His addition comes after Jake Fraley was designated for assignment over the weekend and later claimed off waivers by the Braves.
The injured catcher, a former first-round pick in 2015, has been the Reds’ main option behind the plate since 2021. Known more for his bat than his defense, he has also taken occasional turns at designated hitter and first base. Entering 2025, his career slash line stood at .267/.343/.427 (107 wRC+), but this season his production has dropped off, with a .226/.313/.393 line in 72 games. A spike in strikeouts — 34.4% compared to his career average of 23.4% — has been a major concern.
The injury occurred last week while catching a pitch from Hunter Greene against the Phillies. After playing just one more game, he was sidelined, and his return timeline is still uncertain. In the meantime, Jose Trevino is expected to handle regular duties behind the plate.
Trevino, who started his career with the Rangers and later became a standout defensive catcher for the Yankees, was traded to Cincinnati this past offseason. While his bat has been quiet — hitting just .176/.205/.206 since July — he remains highly regarded as a pitch framer. Losing the injured catcher’s offensive contributions, however, weakens a Reds lineup already struggling for consistency.
Banfield, 25, joins the major league roster as the backup. He signed a minor league deal with Cincinnati after leaving the Marlins organization last year. Though he has struggled offensively at Triple-A (.220/.277/.304), he’s considered a reliable defender behind the plate.
Depth beyond Banfield is thin. P.J. Higgins and Eric Yang remain in the system, but neither brings much big-league experience or impact with the bat. This leaves the Reds with limited catching options as they fight to stay alive in the National League Wild Card race.
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