Reds notes: How Tyler Stephenson bounced back from third concussion; Nick Lodolo on track

MILWAUKEE –– Last week, when Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson was in concussion protocol, he went onto the field for batting practice before one of the Reds games against the St. Louis Cardinals. When he tried tracking the ball off the bat, Stephenson said he felt dizziness and nausea. 

It was a reminder of how difficult the process is when you’re coming back from a concussion.

Stephenson went on the concussion list after a play at the plate on April 19 against the San Diego Padres. While Stephenson tagged out Luke Voit at home plate, his head was slammed to the ground, and he missed two weeks. 

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Since Stephenson has had two previous concussions, he knew he couldn’t rush his return. 

“This is my third (concussion), a lot of people probably didn’t know that,” Stephenson said. “You want it to progress as quick as possible, but with a concussion, you don’t want to overdo it and take a step back. It’s a slow progression. It’s not like a hamstring or another body part where you can physically rehab.”

Stephenson returned to the Reds’ active roster on Tuesday for the Reds’ series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers. Stephenson made two inning-changing blocks behind the plate and threw out a runner at second base, but he also struck out four times in his first game back.

He went through a mapped out progression before he returned to the Reds roster so he could shake off as much rust as possible. 

Once he was cleared, Stephenson started with soft toss batting drills. Then he ramped up to catching off a pitching machine. He then caught bullpens from Reds starting pitchers Mike Minor and Luis Castillo, and Stephenson incrementally ramped up his hitting work as he prepared for his return.

Stephenson said the rehab from a concussion is “unique in its own way,” and his previous experiences helped him track his progress.

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“It’s just trusting my eyes and what I feel,” Stephenson said. “With it being my third one and playing a position where there could be foul balls and other plays at the plate, I have to make sure I am 100% whenever I do feel good, giving it more days to make sure I’m ready.”

Instead of putting Stephenson at first base or at designated hitter when he returned to the active roster on Tuesday, Reds manager David Bell put Stephenson right back behind the plate. With Stephenson cleared to return, Bell prioritized putting Stephenson back at his natural position. Stephenson got an off day on Wednesday, but he was back in the lineup on Thursday to catch Hunter Greene. 

The Reds don’t have much depth at catcher, and the team struggled at that position without him. Stephenson also bats fifth in the lineup, right behind first baseman Joey Votto, and Votto didn’t have the same level of protection behind him in the order when Stephenson was out. 

Without Stephenson, it became clear that he’s one of the Reds’ most important players. 

“He’s a big part of our team, there’s no question, especially at that position,” Bell said. “He’s not a loud guy, but he’s a leader. They see that on the field. You see it in the clubhouse.”

Nick Lodolo close to return for Reds

ALMOST THERE: When Reds starter Nick Lodolo went on the injured list with a lower right back strain on April 28, he said it was a short-term injury that he could return from as soon as the Reds’ homestand in the first week of May.

One week later, Lodolo said his rehab has gone according to plan. He’s scheduled to start on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

“I’ve been resting and naturally letting it run its course,” Lodolo said. “Everything has been coming together, and I can pick up where I left off.”

Jonathan India not close to return for Cincinnati Reds

NOT READY: When Reds second baseman Jonathan India played against the Colorado Rockies last Friday, he said his hamstring didn’t feel right the entire game.

India initially injured his hamstring on April 14, and he was on the 10-day injured list for 12 days due to the injury. India returned on April 26, but by the end of the week he was back on the 10-day injured list. 

India said there wasn’t one moment in that game against the Rockies where he re-injured his hamstring, but it felt uncomfortable throughout his most recent game.

“I just wasn’t ready,” India said. “It tightened up a little bit more, and now we’re taking it slow. We just don’t want to make it worse.”

According to Bell, India is expected to miss “a couple weeks” but not “four-to-six weeks.”

Alejo Lopez in the multiverse of Reds roster madness

WILD WEEK: In a three-day window, Reds infielder Alejo Lopez was called up from Triple-A, optioned back to Triple-A and then promoted again to the big league roster.

On Sunday, Lopez was called up when India went on the 10-day injured list. Lopez was playing in Columbus with the Louisville Bats at the time. When he flew to Colorado, Lopez had to leave most of his stuff in his car in Columbus.

Following Sunday’s game, when MLB rosters had to go down from 28 players to 26, Lopez was optioned to Triple-A. The Reds gave Lopez an off day on Tuesday due to the travel, and he spent it in Cincinnati before his expected date to report back to the Bats.

Then at 1:30 on Tuesday, Lopez got the call that he was back on the MLB roster. With Joey Votto on the COVID-19 list, Lopez filled his spot on the roster.

There wasn’t enough time for Lopez to get a flight to Milwaukee, so he drove the entire way and made it to American Family Field by the bottom of the first inning.

“I had to stop to get some Red Bulls and a Big Mac, but we were trying to get here as soon as possible,” Lopez said. “I made it in the first inning, so it all worked.”

More Reds roster moves

ROSTER MOVES: Before Wednesday’s game, the Reds placed outfielders Nick Senzel and Tyler Naquin on the COVID-19 list. The Reds called up outfielders Albert Almora Jr. and Ronnie Dawson from Triple-A.

The Reds signed Almora, a former starting center fielder for the Chicago Cubs, as a non-roster invitee during spring training. The Reds added Dawson in the Minor League Rule 5 Draft during the offseason, and Dawson leads the Louisville Bats with 13 RBI this season.

The Reds also claimed right-handed pitcher Robert Dugger from the Tampa Bay Rays. Dugger is built up as a starter and could be a candidate to pitch in the Reds doubleheader on Saturday.