

CINCINNATI — Catcher Tyler Stephenson is back with the Cincinnati Reds, but the team is losing outfielder Austin Hays for at least a week.
The Reds activated Stephenson (left oblique strain) from the injured list and put Hays on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain. Hays’ IL stint is retroactive to April 29.
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Both Stephenson and Hays began the 2025 season on the IL. Hays missed the team’s first 16 games with a left calf strain, while Stephenson has yet to play this season.
Signed to a one-year deal this offseason, Hays made an instant impact when he came back from the IL, notching four RBIs in a victory over the Seattle Mariners. In his 13 games since coming off the IL, Hays hit .365/.431/.712 with five home runs, sharing the team lead with Elly De La Cruz.
Hays last played in Monday’s victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. He was hitless in that game, but walked and scored a run. On Thursday, he tested out his hamstring before the game against St. Louis.
Hays said he was feeling better but was being cautious. Last season, Hays spent significant time on the IL with leg injuries, and at times exacerbated those injuries by pushing through them. The team was being cautious not to repeat that mistake.
Stephenson played in eight rehab games for Triple-A Louisville, going 3 for 28 (.107) with a home run in his time with the Bats. He started five games behind the plate during his rehab assignment and served as the designated hitter in the other three games.
In Stephenson’s absence, the Reds’ catching duo of Jose Trevino and Austin Wynns has combined to hit .347/.391/.594 with eight home runs. The two combined to give the Reds the best batting average among catchers in all of baseball, the second-best slugging percentage and third-best on-base percentage.
(Photo of Tyler Stephenson: USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
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