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Jonathan India OK after injury scare on hit by pitch; Tyler Stephenson healing quickly

SAN FRANCISCO – Jonathan India wasn’t in the Cincinnati Reds’ lineup Sunday for their series finale against the San Francisco Giants, but everyone was breathing a sigh of relief that it may be only a one-game absence.

India was hit by a 92-mph sinker on his right wrist in the fifth inning Saturday. India fell to the ground and grimaced as he flexed his hand, but he remained in the game until Matt Reynolds pinch-hit for him in the eighth inning.

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He underwent an X-ray following the game, which showed no fracture.

“He stayed in for a couple more innings, but it was sore,” Reds Manager David Bell said. “Before his at-bat, we took him out just to be safe. Get ice on it, get the X-ray, just so we can find out for sure.

"It was a little bit under the bone. It got a little bit of flesh, which helps."

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jonathan India (6) laughs in between batters in the fourth inning of the MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Los Angeles Dodgers in Cincinnati at Great American Ball Park on Tuesday, June 21, 2022.
Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jonathan India (6) laughs in between batters in the fourth inning of the MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Los Angeles Dodgers in Cincinnati at Great American Ball Park on Tuesday, June 21, 2022.

India, who has been hit by four pitches this season, has already missed 44 games this season on the injured list because of a strained hamstring. Since his return from the IL, he’s 5-for-39 with a double and a homer.

He was hit by a National League-leading 23 pitches during his rookie season last year.

"He seems a little prone to it, but I would never even think about changing what he's doing," Bell said. "He's managed it and it's allowed him to be successful. He does have a knack for avoiding anything serious."

Reds injuries: Tyler Stephenson is progressing quickly

Tyler Stephenson was expected to miss four to six weeks when he broke his right thumb on June 9, and he could rejoin the Reds at the beginning of that timeline.

“Tyler Stephenson has healed very quickly,” Bell said Saturday. “There is a chance he is on a rehab assignment by the end of next weekend, a week to 10 days, I would say from right now.”

Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson (37) stretches on his day off before the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Washington Nationals at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, June 2, 2022.
Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson (37) stretches on his day off before the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Washington Nationals at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, June 2, 2022.

Stephenson had the soft cast covering his thumb removed last Tuesday and he began playing catch Wednesday. The big step for him before beginning a rehab assignment is feeling comfortable swinging a bat.

The Reds entered Sunday with a 17-22 record in Stephenson’s starts and a 7-25 record in games when he’s not in the lineup.

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“He’s going to start hitting this week and everything seems to be going well,” Bell said. “I don’t know, it could be a week.”

San Francisco Giants' Michael Papierski, left, leaps to field the ball as Cincinnati Reds' Matt Reynolds scores a run on a single by Tyler Stephenson during the third inning of a baseball game in Cincinnati, Friday, May 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
San Francisco Giants' Michael Papierski, left, leaps to field the ball as Cincinnati Reds' Matt Reynolds scores a run on a single by Tyler Stephenson during the third inning of a baseball game in Cincinnati, Friday, May 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)

Reds player moves:  Catcher Michael Papierski claimed off waivers

The Reds claimed catcher Michael Papierski off waivers from the Giants on Saturday. Papierski played in five Major League games this season, including one start against the Reds on May 27.

The Reds optioned Papierski to Triple-A Louisville after acquiring him. They now have five catchers on their 40-man roster: Stephenson, Aramis Garcia, Chris Okey, Mark Kolozsvary and Papierski. They had an extra spot on their 40-man roster after Jeff Hoffman was placed on the COVID-related injured list Friday.

Papierski was traded from the Houston Astros to the Giants in May. In Triple-A this year, he’s hitting .210 with three homers and 28 RBI in 40 games.

Reds injury updates: Aristides Aquino to begin baseball activities

Aristides Aquino, sidelined with a left high ankle sprain, will begin baseball activities Monday.

The injury was unfortunate timing for Aquino, who was beginning to solidify more of a regular role for himself. He hit .283 with four doubles and two homers in 46 at-bats since returning to the 40-man roster. The Reds designated him for assignment at the end of April after he opened the season in a 2-for-41 slump, but he went unclaimed on waivers.

Right-hander Vladimir Gutierrez threw a bullpen Friday in Cincinnati. He was shut down for a couple of weeks after an exam showed a Grade 1 sprain of a ligament in his elbow. He avoided surgery, which was the biggest relief to Gutierrez, and now he’ll begin to ramp up for his return in the bullpen.

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Outfielder Tyler Naquin could begin a rehab assignment by the end of next week, Bell said. There was hope Naquin could’ve started his rehab assignment this weekend, but he’s still progressing from his quad strain.

“Originally, Naquin was four to six weeks. He is doing well and has been all along, but just not pushing it too much because it is still healing. It was a pretty severe quad strain. Even though he was running and everything, if you do too much too soon, it could re-aggravate it.”

Reds former players: Shogo Akiyama signs three-year deal to play in Japan

Shogo Akiyama agreed to a three-year contract with the Hiroshima Carp, according to reports from Japanese media.

Akiyama, who played in 16 games with the San Diego Padres' Triple-A team after he was released by the Reds, reportedly had three Japanese teams pursuing him. He chose the Carp over his former club, the Seibu Lions, and the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Jonathan India OK after hit by pitch; Tyler Stephenson healing fast