An electrophysiology catheter with a distal electrode assembly having covered spine carrying a plurality of microelectrodes. The spines have nonconductive covers that are reinforced with tensile members, e.g., wires or fibers, that extend (or have portions that extend) longitudinally so as to minimize any elongation of the covers and the microelectrodes carried thereon. The tensile members may also have a length greater than the length of the spines so the proximal portions extend proximally from the spines, through the catheter and at least into the control handle for actuation by an operator for deflecting and moving the spines, like “fingers.”