TORONTO — Right-hander Robert Stephenson is headed back to Triple-A to be stretched out so he can possibly return to the Reds as a starter later this season.
Stephenson made the Reds out of spring training as a reliever and has appeared in 13 games, going 0-2 with an 8.03 ERA. Monday he gave up 10 hits in just two innings, as the Reds fell 17-2 to the Blue Jays and allowed 23 hits, the most by a Reds team since 1985.
Although sending Stephenson down to Triple-A at some point this season had always been the plan, the fact that he and Jake Buchanan had to throw so many pitches moved that up.