Reds Catcher Breaks Thumb, To Miss Signifcant Time

One of the few bright spots in an otherwise disappointing season for the Cincinnati Reds, catcher Tyler Stephenson has suffered a broken thumb in Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Tyler Stephenson out 4-6 weeks.

WHY CAN'T WE HAVE NICE THINGS? pic.twitter.com/V1VwISSvls

— The Riverfront: A Cincinnati Reds Show (@riverfrontcincy) June 9, 2022

Manager David Bell said he'll be out 4-to-6 weeks. 

The 25-year-old was hitting .305 with an .829 OPS, and 31 RBIs, usually batting right in the heart of the Reds' order. He will be a big loss. 

"It's tough losing any of our players, and certainly Tyler Stephenson," manager David Bell said. "Just a big part of our team in so many ways... We feel for him."

Stephenson will become the 15th Red to hit the injured list, after getting hit on the throwing hand by a foul ball in the 4th inning. Imaging revealed the break.

Unless another move is made, backup catcher Aramis Garcia would get most of the action behind the plate for the next month+. He's only hitting .175 this season in 63 at-bats.

Stephenson was the 11th overall pick in the 2015 Draft, and finished 6th in Rookie of the Year balloting last season. He owns a .292 career average. 

Photo Credit: Albert Cesare / USA TODAY NETWORK