Cincinnati Reds’ Robert Stephenson lands on DL with shoulder injury

The Cincinnati Reds have yet another starting pitcher land on the DL in former top prospect Robert Stephenson.

The Cincinnati Reds have now had eight starting pitchers spend time on the DL this season. The Reds have a better rotation on the DL now, than they do actually playing. With Opening Day starter, Scott Feldman, Anthony DeSclafani, Brandon Finnegan, Bronson Arroyo, and now Robert Stephenson, it is like a who’s who of Reds’ starting pitchers on the DL.

Stephenson bruised his rotator cuff diving for a bunt. Then he pitched two more innings. The Reds anticipate Stephenson only missing the minimum of ten days.

The truth is that Stephenson hasn’t looked right all season long. In the majors his control has been sub-par. There’s every chance that he injured his shoulder at some point earlier this season.

Stephenson has pitched 40 innings for the Reds and walked 27 batters. Meanwhile, in Triple-A, Stephenson has only walked 13 batters in 40 1/3 innings, or half as much. Whether he is getting pinched in the majors or he is more careful, this is an issue.

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Stephenson had an implosion in his first game of the season, walking six in 1 2/3 innings. He only walked six batters in all of May, covering 14 1/3 innings. Since his entry in the rotation Stephenson has walked 11 in 15 1/3 innings.

With Robert Stephenson on the DL the Cincinnati Reds need to take another look at the options for the rotation.

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Asher Wojciechowski just replaced Tim Adleman in the rotation, meaning Adleman is available. Assuming that Bailey must pitch in the rotation, there is only one spot open in the rotation. That leaves the option of Adleman or giving Jackson Stephens another opportunity.

Short-term the choice is Adleman. The Reds recalled Lisalverto Bonilla to take the place of Adleman in the bullpen. That pushes Adleman into the rotation and leaves the team without a spot for Stephens.

There are calls for Tyler Mahle, but Adleman makes more sense. Adding a reliever and letting Adleman work through his issues is better than pushing a youngster before he is ready. Both Kevin Shackelford and Louis Coleman coming up as relievers make more sense than rushing Mahle.

The Reds also have Cody Reed and Rookie Davis at Triple-A. Neither of them has earned another chance. That leaves Bonilla, Mahle, and Stephens as the Louisville starters.

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So Adleman is once again saving the day. In the meantime Wojciechowski is also getting an extended look in the rotation. As long as rookies Luis Castillo and Sal Romano can both cover enough innings, this plan may just work.

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