Reds' Tyler Stephenson out 4-6 weeks with fractured thumb
Thursday was yet another lousy day endured by the last-place Cincinnati Reds this spring.
As noted by The Associated Press (h/t ESPN), Cincinnati squandered a 3-1 lead against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the top of the ninth inning en route to losing the afternoon home game 5-4. Injury was added to that insult when Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson was forced to leave the contest after he took a foul ball off his right hand in the top of the fourth:
Further examination revealed some bad news.
Per ESPN and Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer, Reds manager David Bell confirmed Stephenson suffered a fractured right thumb and is expected to miss four to six weeks of action.
Before the setback, the 25-year-old was hitting .309 with five home runs and 31 RBI on the campaign.
"It's tough losing any of our players, and certainly Tyler Stephenson," Bell remarked. "Just a big part of our team for so many reasons."
Stephenson was spotted wearing a brace on his hand in the clubhouse after the defeat.
"I had a bunch of blood coming from my fingernail, and obviously it was stiff," he said about the injury. "Then as we unwinded, I knew I didn’t feel good. Then I had to wait until the X-ray came."
An optimistic Stephenson added:
"Obviously frustrating, but you live and you learn, find the positives, move forward and take what each day gives you. We’ll be fine."
The 20-37 Reds next play at the 32-26 St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night.
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