Thursday was yet another lousy day endured by the last-place Cincinnati Reds this spring. 

As noted by The Associated Press (h/t ESPN), Cincinnati squandered a 3-1 lead against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the top of the ninth inning en route to losing the afternoon home game 5-4. Injury was added to that insult when Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson was forced to leave the contest after he took a foul ball off his right hand in the top of the fourth: 

Tyler Stephenson left today’s game after a foul tip hit his throwing hand pic.twitter.com/XBPzL6Vl12

Further examination revealed some bad news. 

Per ESPN and Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer, Reds manager David Bell confirmed Stephenson suffered a fractured right thumb and is expected to miss four to six weeks of action. 

Before the setback, the 25-year-old was hitting .309 with five home runs and 31 RBI on the campaign. 

"It's tough losing any of our players, and certainly Tyler Stephenson," Bell remarked. "Just a big part of our team for so many reasons."

Stephenson was spotted wearing a brace on his hand in the clubhouse after the defeat. 

"I had a bunch of blood coming from my fingernail, and obviously it was stiff," he said about the injury. "Then as we unwinded, I knew I didn’t feel good. Then I had to wait until the X-ray came." 

"Obviously frustrating, but you live and you learn, find the positives, move forward and take what each day gives you. We’ll be fine." 

The 20-37 Reds next play at the 32-26 St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night.

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