Stephenson suffered a low-grade oblique strain back in mid-March. There should be a clearer estimate for his return timeline following his next round of imaging. Barring something unexpected, he should return to Cincinnati’s lineup by the end of April.

Stephenson has no timetable for a return, but it’s been known since the middle of March he would open the season on the IL. The Reds also placed Alexis Diaz (hamstring) and Andrew Abbott (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list along with Austin Hays (calf), so they’ll be shorthanded to open the 2025 campaign.

An MRI taken Thursday confirmed the strain. The Reds may wait until closer to Opening Day to make the roster move, but Stephenson will miss at least the first week-plus of the regular season because of the strain. With the 28-year-old out of action, Jose Trevino will all but assuredly be the starting backstop to begin the campaign.

Stephenson first experienced pain in his lower back on Wednesday and was scratched from the lineup in that game. Reds manager Terry Francona said at the time that there was no need to push Stephenson, so the team may be simply looking to ensure their belief that nothing is wrong. If Stephenson were to miss time, the team would turn to Jose Trevino as their starting catcher to begin the season.