Tyler Stephenson’s Thumb Injury Puts Reds in a Tight Spot

August 20, 2025 — The Cincinnati Reds have placed catcher Tyler Stephenson on the 10-day injured list after he suffered a thumb fracture. In response, the team has called up Will Banfield from Triple-A and added him to the 40-man roster. Banfield replaces Jake Fraley, who was claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves after being designated for assignment.

Stephenson, now 29, has been the Reds’ primary catcher since 2021. Known more for his bat than his glove, he has also played designated hitter and first base. Coming into this season, he carried a solid career slash line of .267/.343/.427 (107 wRC+), including a 113 wRC+ in 2024. However, 2025 has been a struggle. Through 72 games, he’s hit just .226/.313/.393 (90 wRC%) and has posted a concerning 34.4% strikeout rate, far above his career average of 23.4%.

The injury occurred when Stephenson caught a pitch from Hunter Greene during a game against the Phillies last week. He’s appeared in only one game since then. The Reds have yet to provide a timeline for his return. In his absence, José Treviño will likely take over full-time catching duties. Treviño, 32, was acquired from the Yankees during the offseason. Though he’s known for his defense and pitch framing, his offense has struggled — batting just .176/.205/.206 since July.

Will Banfield, 25, signed with the Reds after spending his entire career in the Marlins system. Despite hitting only .220/.277/.304 in 73 Triple-A games this season, he is considered a strong defensive catcher and will serve as a backup. Behind him, catching depth is thin: P.J. Higgins and Eric Yang are available in the minors, though both have limited MLB experience and inconsistent performance.

Losing Stephenson is a setback for the Reds as they fight for a Wild Card spot, especially given the team’s offensive struggles.

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