Stephenson, who has already been optioned to Triple-A Louisville, will start Monday's spring training game against the Brewers, with Jon Moscot pitching in a minor league game.
Moscot isn't expected to be ready for the start of the season. Tim Melville had been expected to fill in until Moscot is ready, but he hasn't been great this spring. Moreover, almost all of the other projected Reds starters have struggled. Stephenson probably still won't make the Reds' Opening Day roster, and this might just be for convenience sake to give Moscot time, but it might also be a sign that the team is still considering all options for their rotation.