Cincinnati Reds send Robert Stephenson to Triple-A

Reliever gave up six earned runs in two innings Monday

The Cincinnati Reds optioned relief pitcher Robert Stephenson to Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday, one day after he allowed six earned runs on 10 hits in two innings in a 17-2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays.

The 24-year-old Stephenson, one of the Reds' top prospects in recent years, appeared to have turned his season around in May. He had an 8.51 ERA in April. It had dropped to 6.35 by May 21. With his performance Monday, his first appearance in eight days, it jumped to 8.03.

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The Reds called up pitcher Jackson Stephens from Louisville to take Stephenson’s spot on the roster. Stephens, 23, was 3-3 with a 5.79 ERA in 10 starts with Louisville. When he pitches for the Reds, he will become the ninth player to make his major league debut this season for the Reds.

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