Reds Injury News: Matt McLain status, Tyler Stephenson rehab, top prospect scratched

The Cincinnati Reds finally got off the schneid on Saturday with an 11-7 win over the Milwaukee Brewers. Coming into the contest, Cincinnati had lost four straight and their offense looked anemic.

But TJ Friedl's 4-for-4 night helped propel the Reds to their third win of the 2025 season, and Terry Francona's club will look to split the series with Carson Spiers taking the ball for Cincinnati on Sunday. He'll be opposed by Brewers' rookie Chad Patrick.

But the Reds were without starting second baseman Matt McLain for a second straight game. McLain was originally in the Reds starting lineup on Friday and Saturday, but was a late-scratch before both games. What's his status ahead of Sunday's series finale?

Reds Injury News: Matt McLain unlikely to play in series finale vs. Brewers

If the Reds are going to leave Milwaukee with a 2-2 series split, they're going to have to do without McLain. Francona called himself a "worrywart" and signaled that McLain will likely sit on Sunday versus the Brewers.

This is, of course, rather concerning considering McLain's injury history. An oblique injury ended his rookie season prematurely and the Reds' star was out all of last season following shoulder surgery. Hamstring injuries can be fickle, and while Francona suggested that McLain is about 85-90%, there's a chance this lingering issue could result in a trip to the IL.

Reds Injury News: Tyler Stephenson could begin baseball activities this week

The news surrounding McLain is somewhat upsetting, but at least Tyler Stephenson appears to be on the mend. The 27-year-old has been sidelined with an oblique injury since the start of the season, but if he receives a clean MRI on Monday, Stephenson is expected to begin baseball activities this week.

The Reds' current duo of Jose Trevino and Austin Wynns are handling catching duties in Stephenson's absence. While Trevino and Wynns have both been brilliant — both at the plate and behind it — Stephenson brings a different dynamic to the position from an offensive standpoint. If his MRI shows no signs of inflammation, look for Stephenson to begin working in the batting cage and eventually head out on a rehab assignment later this month.

Reds Injury News: Top prospect, Adam Serwinowski, scratched ahead of 2025 debut

Adam Serwinowski is a name that's difficult to pronounce, but it's one that Reds fans should get to know. The left-hander is one of the top prospects in the Reds' farm system and is currently assigned to High-A Dayton.

Unfortunately, Serwinowski was scratched ahead of his Dayton Dragons debut on Saturday and was replaced by right-hander Brian Edgington. According to Baseball America's Emily Waldron, Serwinowski suffered an undisclosed minor injury before the start of the game.

Serwinowski is viewed as the Reds' No. 12 overall prospect according to MLB Pipeline, and after striking out 106 batters in 85 ⅔ innings last season, is viewed as one of the fast-risers in the Reds' farm system. Hopefully his late-scratch from Saturday's game is nothing overly concerning and he's back on the hill later this week.

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