“It’s tough losing any of our players, and certainly Tyler Stephenson is a big part of our team in so many ways,” Bell told reporters. “He’ll be fine. He’s got a long way to go. He’ll be back this season for hopefully half the season, and he’s got many years ahead, but at this time right now, it’s tough. I know how much he loves to play, and we feel for him.”
Jordan Luplow fouled a pitch by Reds starter Tyler Mahle. The ball hit the top of Stephenson’s throwing hand. He got up shaking the hand in pain. Trainers then attended to Stephenson, who was replaced by Aramis Garcia in the fourth inning.
“You never plan on these things,” Stephenson told reporters. “It’s tough, but obviously, I just have to worry about my heath moving forward. It’ll be fine.”
Stephenson, in his second season in the big leagues, leads the Reds with a .309 batting average and ranks second on the team with 31 RBIs.
The Reds scored three runs in the first inning and led 3-1 through five innings. They lost 5-4, setting for a split in the four-game series, when relievers Tony Santillan and Ross Detwiler gave up four runs in the ninth inning,.
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