Reds rookie catcher Tyler Stephenson had little experience with pinch-hitting before reaching the big leagues. But Stephenson has shown he can handle what is often a difficult task for younger players.
During the eighth inning of Thursday’s 13-8 loss to the Rockies, Stephenson pinch-hit and batted not once, but twice, for the pitcher. His two-run homer in his first at-bat sparked the eight-run rally. He struck out as the 11th man to bat to end the inning.
“Just always staying locked in, ready to go,” Stephenson said on Friday. “Being in the National League, being in our spot, there’s always a chance to have that pinch-hit opportunity late in the game and stuff. The staff does a great job getting us ready in the cage. It’s always thinking an at-bat will happen and not checking out of a game.”
Stephenson, 24, has two pinch-hit homers already. On Sept. 14, 2020, he delivered a walk-off two-run homer to defeat the Pirates. On April 17 of this season, his pinch-hit RBI single to the outfield wall in the bottom of the 10th inning gave Cincinnati a walk-off win over Cleveland.
“When that at-bat comes, treat it like any other at-bat. Get a good pitch, be on time and something good will happen,” Stephenson said.
Lately, Stephenson has tried his hand at another new role -- playing first base. He made his first professional appearance there for one inning during a 9-0 loss to the White Sox on May 4.
With Joey Votto out for several weeks because of a fractured left thumb, the club has had Stephenson fielding ground balls at first base and learning the finer points of the position.
“It’s going well,” said Stephenson, who is part of a catching tandem with veteran Tucker Barnhart. “I’ve actually never played first base in my professional career, except when we were at home. It’s pretty funny, in the Minor Leagues I never played. Growing up, I pitched, played first and caught. I’m very familiar with it and just kind of learning it again. They’ve been great. Obviously, it’s not a bad thing to learn, just because you never know. It’s been fun.”
Feliz and Warren in, Romano out
There were transactions made on Friday that will change the makeup of the Cincinnati bullpen. Right-handed reliever Michael Feliz was claimed off waivers from the Pirates and another right-hander, Art Warren, was recalled from the taxi squad. Right-handed reliever Sal Romano was designated for assignment.
Feliz will join the team within a few days. A seven-year veteran of the big leagues with Houston and Pittsburgh, he had a 2.35 ERA in seven appearances this season.
“We have seen him quite a bit. Just a good arm,” Reds manager David Bell said. “We’re excited, too, just to get him in, have him work with the pitching coaches that we have here and kind of get him back to where he was. He’s had a lot of success. He’s still young, 27 years old. He’s definitely been on our radar. We really feel like it was a big pickup and we think he can strengthen our bullpen, which is the goal.”
Romano had been in the Reds organization since he was a 23rd-round pick in the 2011 Draft and spent parts of the last five season with the big league club.
“He’s spent his whole career here and has some of his best friends here, so it’s tough for him. I do know it could lead to a good opportunity,” Bell said.
Full capacity soon at GABP
The Reds announced on Friday that Great American Ball Park will be permitted to have full capacity for the first time this season on June 2, when they play the Phillies to end a homestand. This revelation came following Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s announcement ending the state’s Coronavirus health orders.
“The Reds are grateful to Gov. DeWine and all the state and local officials who collaborated to usher Ohio through this dangerous and difficult time,” Reds president and COO Phil Castellini said in a statement. “Our goal has always been to host as many fans as possible in a safe manner and we are excited to once again have every seat available for more fans to cheer on our Reds.”
On that same day, masks will be recommended, but no longer mandated to be worn at GABP.
“That time of the year, summer is starting, school is getting out, the weather gets nice,” Bell said. “Definitely happy for the fans, for more people to be able to come to the games, but from our standpoint, it’s a beautiful thing just having more people, more fans. It’s already been great this year.