Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson fractured his right thumb during Thursday’s game and will be sidelined 4-to-6 weeks.
Stephenson, 25, left in the fourth inning after Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder Jordan Luplow fouled a pitch off the catcher’s throwing hand.
Stephenson’s hand and thumb was placed in a cast.
“I’ve never had anything broken or fractured leading up to this,” Stephenson said after the game, a loss to the D-backs. “I didn’t know what to expect. I had a bunch of blood coming from my fingernail, and obviously it was stiff. Then as we unwinded, I knew I didn’t feel good. Then I had to wait until the X-ray came.”
Stephenson was replaced by Aramis Garcia. Stephenson was 0-for-2 on the day before leaving. Stephenson was 9-for-16 (.563) heading into Thursday’s game.
Stephenson is batting .305 with five home runs and 31 RBIs on the season, his third with the Reds. He is leading all National League catchers in average, slugging percentage (.468) and RBIs.
“That sucks. Hopefully it’s quick and doesn’t take too long. But, yeah, that’s a tough one,” said Reds RHP Tyler Mahle, Thursday’s starter. “He means a lot. He’s our No. 1 catcher. He’s probably our best hitter. I mean, probably our All-Star. Don’t know how many guys are going to be All-Stars. If he’s not an All-Star, I don’t know what it takes, but, yeah, it hurts.”
Later in the game, D-backs first baseman Christian Walker left the game under his own power after taking an Alexis Diaz fastball off the helmet in the eighth. Jake Hager pinch ran for Walker, who finished the day 0-for-2 with a walk and the hit by pitch.
Reds center fielder Albert Almora Jr. left the game with an apparent right shoulder injury. He was replaced by Aristides Aquino, who entered in right field. TJ Friedl moved from left field to center. Almora was 0-for-2 with a strikeout.
–Field Level Media
