Prospect Stephenson not ready yet, managers say

The question CINCINNATI — keeps cropping up on social media from Reds’ fans.

What’s the deal with Robert Stephenson?

The right-handed pitcher, Cincinnati’s No. 1 pick and the 27th overall selection in the June 2011 draft, was a bright spot in the dark days of the early part of this season. He was recalled from Triple-A Louisville for two spot starts and produced two wins and a 3.00 earnedrun average, suggesting that he was ready for the majors — especially on a team desperate for pitching help of any kind.

The Reds have avoided any further exposures for the 6-foot-2, 200-pound Stephenson, and it’s not clear whether he’ll he among the players they call up when active rosters can be expanded on Sept. 1.

“I think it’s a consistency component missing from his season,” Reds manager Bryan Price said before Sunday’s game against Los Angeles. “… We believe in his stuff. He’s worked hard to command his fastball better and control the running game which were two parts of his game which weren’t really good. He’s put some polish to it, but we’d like to see him control the game beyond the sixth inning with some regularity. There’s no loss of confidence, but that’s the corner we’d like him to turn.”

Stephenson was 6-9 with a 4.66 ERA in 22 starts for the Bats, but what was more glaring was his lack of control. He was averaging 4.73 walks per nine innings. Louisville manager Delino DeShields was more direct in his evaluation of the highly regarded prospect.

“This is what we’ve been going through with this kid for the last three or four years,” DeShields told the Louisville Courier-Journal after Stephenson allowed four hits, four walks and six runs in two innings on Saturday. “Until he makes an adjustment, it’s going to continue. It’s not going to get better. It’s on him. He’s been told what he needs to do and what he needs to work on by numerous coaches and staff members. It’s up to him to make those adjustments. If I was him, I’d be embarrassed.”

Break time: Joey Votto’s last day off on a date on which the Reds played was July 2 in Washington. Price figured he was due for another breather. That’s why the first baseman missed Sunday’s start.

Right fielder Scott Schebler also was missing from the lineup.

“First scheduled day off for Joey since were in Texas in the middle of June and he actually got sick,” Price said. “(Votto) missed a couple of days in that stretch. Just a scheduled day off for him and for (Schebler). They both will be back in there (Monday).” Boot not scootin’: Shortstop Zack Cozart continues to be plagued by soreness in his left Achilles and patella tendons, the product of overcompensating for the knee surgery that ended his season in June 2015. Cozart actually has resorted to wearing a boot to immobilize his foot and help hasten the healing process, as left fielder Adam Duvall did last week with his left foot.