Notes: Stephenson on fans; Antone's big K

CINCINNATI -- Because he hit two home runs in eight games last season and spent time traveling with the Reds on their taxi squad, it would be easy to assume that rookie catcher Tyler Stephenson got all of the specialness out of the way.

One crucial thing was missing from his 2020 feats -- family. With no fans allowed in ballparks last season, Stephenson’s family had to watch his debut, his first homer and the rest from television. When the 24-year-old got his first start of ‘21 and collected three hits during Sunday’s 12-1 win over the Cardinals, his family and friends were at Great American Ball Park to see it for themselves.

“I’m sure they were screaming from the Machine Room and stuff,” Stephenson said. “My family, my brother-in-law, my sister, my fiancée and her family. So it was fun. It was a good weekend.”

Also special was Stephenson’s first Opening Day in the Major Leagues on Thursday. He didn’t start but did enter the game in the fifth inning of the 11-6 loss to St. Louis.

“It’s awesome just having fans in the stands. That’s been a fun part. It’s a blessing,” Stephenson said. “It’s something that I’ll remember for the rest of my life, just being on the line for Opening Day, and the flyover. Had goosebumps and stuff. It was incredible, and I’m glad they got to be here for that.”

Antone escapes a jam
Reds reliever Tejay Antone’s first appearance of the season on Sunday vs. the Cardinals got off to a bumpy beginning. Antone walked the first batter, Matt Carpenter, and Tommy Edman’s single put two runners on with no outs. But he got a pair of flyouts and then threw a wild pitch that put runners on second and third base.

Antone escaped without a run when he struck out Paul DeJong on a curveball for a called third strike. The previous pitch was a 98.9 mph fastball.

“I set him up pretty solid with a fastball up the pitch before,” Antone explained on Monday. “He saw it, and I was like, ‘All right, curveball off that. [DeJong] will see it, and he won’t commit to it just because he saw a fastball up at his eyes.’ He didn’t, I landed it, and we got out of the inning.”

Winker not out much longer
Reds left fielder Jesse Winker, who left Saturday’s game against the Cardinals because he didn’t feel well, has been out of the lineup for the past two days. Manager David Bell said the issue is not related to COVID-19 and said that he didn’t expect Winker to be away much longer.

“It’s flu-like symptoms, not COVID,” Bell said on Monday before the Reds opened their series with the Pirates.

Reliever Michael Lorenzen, who is on the 10-day injured list with a right shoulder strain, had the flu on Opening Day. Bell didn’t believe any other players or staff caught it. Players who don’t feel well are not permitted to be at the ballpark as a precaution.

Blandino has zero issues with No. 0
When the Reds signed right fielder Nick Castellanos to a four-year, $64 million contract last year, they issued him No. 2 for his jersey. The number belonged to infielder Alex Blandino, who was switched to No. 0.

More numbers opened up ahead of this season, but Blandino stayed with zero.

“I switched to zero because it was the only single digit available at the time,” Blandino explained on Monday. “It’s sort of been growing on me, and I figured that no one had ever worn zero before so I might as well make my mark starting with that. I think I’m going to stick with it for now.”

The Reds have had two coaches -- Dave Collins and Ron Oester -- previously wear No. 0. Former players Rick White and Brandon Watson have used No. 00.

“Growing up actually, when I was like 12 or 13, I was 00 on my travel team,” Blandino said. “I did get some funny comments from some of my teammates, ‘Why are you wearing zero?’ This and that. It was either zero or like a mid-30s number, and I don’t think that flies as an infielder. I don’t want a mid-30s number on the infield. It was a no-brainer at that point for me.”