The Cincinnati Reds will begin a pivotal three-game series against the New York Mets Friday night with a key piece of team back in the lineup.The Reds announced Friday that catcher Tyler Stephenson has been activated from the 10-day injured list after suffering a thumb fracture last month.The Reds optioned catcher Will Banfield back to Triple-A Louisville on Friday and sent right-hander Joe La Sorsa to Louisville, as well.In 72 games this season, Stephenson has hit .226 with a .313 on-base percentage, nine home runs, 36 RBIs and 32 runs scored.Those marks are all down from how the 29-year-old catcher performed in 2024, when Stephenson went deep 19 times, was third on the Reds with a .338 on-base percentage and drove in 66 runs.Jose Trevino has been the Reds’ catcher when Stephenson missed time, hitting .246/.284/.371 with four home runs. The former Gold Glove winner drew the majority of starts in Stephenson’s absence over the last two weeks.Three games against the Mets from Friday through Sunday could go a long way in determining the Reds’ playoff fate in 2025. Cincinnati enters the series trailing New York by five games for the final National League wild card spot.

CINCINNATI —

The Cincinnati Reds will begin a pivotal three-game series against the New York Mets Friday night with a key piece of team back in the lineup.

The Reds announced Friday that catcher Tyler Stephenson has been activated from the 10-day injured list after suffering a thumb fracture last month.

The Reds optioned catcher Will Banfield back to Triple-A Louisville on Friday and sent right-hander Joe La Sorsa to Louisville, as well.

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In 72 games this season, Stephenson has hit .226 with a .313 on-base percentage, nine home runs, 36 RBIs and 32 runs scored.

Those marks are all down from how the 29-year-old catcher performed in 2024, when Stephenson went deep 19 times, was third on the Reds with a .338 on-base percentage and drove in 66 runs.

Jose Trevino has been the Reds’ catcher when Stephenson missed time, hitting .246/.284/.371 with four home runs. The former Gold Glove winner drew the majority of starts in Stephenson’s absence over the last two weeks.

Three games against the Mets from Friday through Sunday could go a long way in determining the Reds’ playoff fate in 2025. Cincinnati enters the series trailing New York by five games for the final National League wild card spot.