Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports

Tyler Stephenson Is Past the Monotony and More Than Ready to Compete

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gary Schatz | Last updated Apr 12, 2025 4:56 PM ET

Tyler Stephenson was a large part of the Cincinnati Reds offense last season as well as a key resource for the pitching staff.

His spring training was interrupted after nine games with a strained left oblique.

An MRI on Monday in San Francisco had positive results. Now the Reds’ top pick in the 2015 draft is ready to start “baseball activities” to get back on the field to join his mates.

“I’ve been hitting off the tee, throwing and stuff and today was the first day for batting practice,” said the proud father of a two-year-old daughter.

Stephenson set career highs with 26 doubles, 19 home runs, and 66 runs batted in. He hit .258 in 138 games last year, the second full year after he recovered from a broken hand and clavicle from the 2022 season. He was on his way to a productive season with a .319 batting average until he was shut down after 50 games.

The catcher rebounded slowly with a .243 average in 142 games with 20 doubles, 13 home runs, and 56 RBI.

The Reds were going to play him at first base when he was not catching when David Bell was the manager, to get his bat into the lineup more. Current manager, Terry Francona, opposed that plan. In part because the Reds have plenty of players to play first.

Stephenson has passed the monotony of healing and is more than ready to hone his baseball skills again.

“I feel good. It just feels good to be doing baseball activities again,” Stephenson said. “The rehab stuff was boring but you’ve got to do it.”

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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