Mesoraco returns to Reds from disabled list

CINCINNATI -- The Reds activated catcher Devin Mesoraco from the 10-day disabled list on Wednesday and optioned right-handed reliever Lisalverto Bonilla to Triple-A Louisville.
Mesoraco had been on the DL since July 5 (retroactive to July 3) because of a left shoulder strain. He spent the past two days on a rehab assignment at Louisville, where he was 1-for-7 with a grand slam while catching two full games.
"I felt fine, I felt normal. No issues at all," Mesoraco said. "This shoulder really wasn't a big issue. Just give it some time to let it calm down and get back out there."
There was extra precaution taken with Mesoraco because he missed most of last season with a torn labrum in the same shoulder that required season-ending surgery (along with right hip surgery). The two shoulder injuries weren't considered related, however.
Despite his return, Mesoraco was not in the starting lineup vs. the D-backs as the Reds went with Tucker Barnhart behind the plate. However, Mesoraco did notch a pinch-hit single in the sixth inning.
"We knew after Bonilla threw 40 pitches in two innings [in Tuesday's 11-2 loss to Arizona] that we wouldn't send him back out there today," manager Bryan Price said. "It just made sense that we activate Devin. He is available to pinch-hit and we could use him in an emergency behind the plate if necessary, as opposed to carrying Bonilla for another day and not [being] able to use him. It was a pretty simple decision."
The roster move gives Cincinnati eight relievers, a five-man bench and three catchers in Mesoraco, Barnhart and Rule 5 Draft pick Stuart Turner. Barnhart and Mesoraco will split the bulk of the playing time.