Reds scrambling for solution to unexpected problem after Austin Wynns' red-hot start

Cincinnati Reds starting catcher Tyler Stephenson suffered an oblique injury midway through spring training that landed him on the 10-day IL to begin the year. The response from fanbase was, as you would expect, complete and total panic. Stephenson was coming off his best season to date and was expected to be a key cog in the middle of the Reds lineup. How in the world would the Reds survive the first six weeks of the 2025 season without their QB1 in the lineup every day?

As it turns out, the Reds haven't missed Stephenson at all. The catching combination of Jose Trevino and Austin Wynns have been two of Cincinnati's best hitters through the first three weeks of the season. Heading Monday's game against the Miami Marlins, Trevino was hitting .318/.375/.500 and Wynns owned a .455/.500/.727 slash line.

But with Stephenson set to begin a rehab assignment on Tuesday, the Reds may soon find themselves in a bit of a pickle. Stephenson will likely need at least two weeks to get up to speed, but once he's good to go, the Reds aren't going to just leave him on the Louisville Bats roster. What happens when the Reds have a healthy trio of Stephenson, Trevino, and Wynns?

Austin Wynns' hot-start may force the Reds to carry three catchers (again)

Prior to Stephenson's injury, Cincinnati was set to split reps between both he and Trevino. But given Wynns' red-hot bat, and his above-average defense, the Reds would be foolish to let him go. Wynns is out of minor-league options, so attempting to pass him through waivers could result in another ball club swooping in to pick him up. Can the Reds afford to carry three catchers?

The harsh reality is, they can't afford not to. After Stephenson, Trevino, and Wynns, the Reds are staring at an inexperienced group of Will Banfield, P.J. Higgins, and Eric Yang—none of whom are serviceable backups at this time. Cincinnati's best catching prospect, Alfredo Duno, is years away from the big leagues, and former top draft picks Cade Hunter and Mat Nelson have failed to develop into big league catchers at this stage of their careers.

That means, when Stephenson returns to the roster, the Reds may have to use him as the team's designated hitter on occasion while also providing the 28-year-old with reps behind the plate. Given that Stephenson will be returning from what can sometimes be a tricky injury, that might not be a bad strategy to employ in the first place.

Carrying three catchers would likely send one of Blake Dunn or Noelvi Marte back to the minor leagues, so it'll be imperative for both of those players to showcase their abilities over the next couple of weeks as they try to hold onto a roster spot. Some fans despise the idea of carrying three catchers, but it may become a necessary evil for the Reds in a couple of weeks.

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