Injuries & Moves: CES, Stephenson expected back

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May 1: 1B Christian Encarnacion-Strand, C Tyler Stephenson near action
For the fourth consecutive game on Wednesday, neither Encarnacion-Strand nor Stephenson were in the Reds’ starting lineup. Neither have played since being hit by pitches on Saturday, Encarnacion-Strand on his left hand and Stephenson on his right hand. Reds manager David Bell said that the injured list is not a consideration for either.

“I think they’re pretty close,” Bell said. “With the off-day [Thursday], I would imagine both guys will start on Friday.”

April 30: LHP Justin Wilson hit by liner; X-rays negative
Wilson was struck below the right knee in the eighth inning by a José Azocar liner back to the mound. Wilson limped severely for several moments. After being visited by the athletic trainer and manager David Bell, Wilson made one attempt at a warm-up pitch and then left the game. X-rays taken following the game were negative for a fracture.

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10-DAY/15-DAY IL

RHP Frankie Montas (right forearm contusion)
Expected return: May 7
Montas threw a side bullpen session on April 29 and reported no issues, manager David Bell said. He is slated to have another bullpen session before activation. Bell expected that Montas could return to the rotation as soon as his first day eligible, May 7, or the day after. The veteran was hit by a Taylor Ward comebacker and exited his start on April 21 after only 16 pitches vs. the Angels. (Last updated: April 30)

RHP Ian Gibaut (right forearm strain)
Expected return: May
The club officially halted Gibaut’s rehab assignment for a second time after he reported feeling discomfort in his right forearm during his April 26 appearance with Triple-A Louisville. The last time he dealt with discomfort, which was less than two weeks prior, he took five days off from games and had a cortisone injection. (Last updated: April 30)

LHP Brandon Williamson (left shoulder strain)
Expected return: Late May or early June
After Williamson has been cleared to begin pitching in games on May 9, which will be with the Arizona Complex League team to begin his rehab assignment. (Last updated: April 29)

OF TJ Friedl (right wrist fracture)
Expected return: May
Working out at the team’s complex in Goodyear, Ariz., Friedl continues to ramp up his baseball activities. Manager David Bell said Friedl was slated to play in an extended spring training game on April 28. The club plans to send Friedl to Triple-A Louisville to start a rehab assignment in the May 2 game in St. Paul. Bell said Friedl was to be limited to bunting, and not full swings, in his first extended spring game, after hitting off a high-speed pitching machine the day before.

“Something new is being added in every day,” Bell said.

Bell projected Friedl would need between one and two weeks before being ready to return to the Reds. (Last updated: April 28)

60-DAY IL

LHP Alex Young (low back disk degeneration)
Expected return: Late May
Young, who dealt with a back injury during Spring Training, was transferred to the 60-day IL on April 24. Young made just one appearance during the spring, on March 12, and will need time to build back up. The progression is expected to take him into late May. (Last updated: April 26)

RHP Tejay Antone (right elbow surgery)
Expected return: 2025
Antone was moved to the 60-day IL on April 19 after he had right elbow and arm surgery on April 12 that repaired tears in his ulnar collateral ligament and flexor mass tendon. It was performed in Cincinnati by team orthopedic surgeon Dr. Timothy Kremchek. Antone, 30, has a 2.47 ERA over 45 big league games since 2020. (Last updated: April 19)

2B Matt McLain (left shoulder surgery)
Expected return: Possibly second half
McLain had a follow-up visit with a doctor, and there now appears to be a timeline of four to six months for a return from his March 26 surgery that repaired his labrum and cartilage damage.

“There is a chance he gets back this year,” manager David Bell said. (Last updated: April 1)

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