Why Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson calls oblique diagnosis ‘best-cast scenario’
GOODYEAR, Arizona – Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson knows first-hand how much worse his oblique injury could be, having experienced one in high school that was “way worse” than the injury diagnosed late Thursday after undergoing an MRI.
Stephenson, who caught more games than any other MLB catcher last year, will open the season on the injured list but said Friday he expects to miss less time than players often miss with obliques.
“It sucks that I’ll maybe miss the first few weeks, but on the bright side, it’s kind of a best-case scenario,” he said. “It’s not something I’m super worried about.”
Stephenson, whose breakout offensive season last year included career highs of 19 home runs and 66 RBIs, was scratched from Wednesday’s lineup, where he was penciled in as the designated hitter against the Rangers.
“Everything felt fine, and then the first couple swings in the (batting) cage I just felt something,” he said. “I’m glad I stopped when I did.
“But I feel good,” he added. “I’m not in a bunch of pain. I’m definitely optimistic.”
Stephenson said he doesn’t know what or when the next step will be in his recovery and rehab work. He’s receiving treatment and continuing conditioning work until then.
The team has given no timeline for his return, beyond manager Terry Francona suggesting his timeline could be “on the lower side” of the typical range for such injuries because it was identified before Stephenson tried to push through it.
For now, former New York Yankees All-Star Jose Trevino, a Platinum Glove winner in 2022, becomes the Reds starter, and journeyman backup Austin Wynns is expected to make his first Opening Day roster.
The Stephenson injury has the potential to be the biggest blow among the few injuries the Reds are dealing with as they prepare to open the season in less than two weeks, not only because of the importance of his role in the lineup, but also because of the often tricky nature of such injuries.
“There’s a fine line,” he said. “I know people that have had them before. You want to be back as soon as possible, but it’s also something you don’t want to rush because it’s something that can linger. We’ll find that line.
“With what I felt, I kind of thought there was something (for the MRI to find). I just didn’t know the severity of it,” he added. “But I was happy to see that it wasn’t more serious than it was.”
Bottom line: “I feel good. So I’m hoping everything progresses how it (should).”
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 'Best-case scenario': Cincinnati Reds Tyler Stephenson on injury outlook
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