Cozart remains out with finger, wrist injuries

PITTSBURGH -- Reds shortstop Zack Cozart was out of the starting lineup for a second consecutive game vs. the Pirates on Wednesday because of a bruised right index finger and sore left wrist. But Cozart felt pleased he was making progress with both injuries.

"It's better than it was [Tuesday], way better," Cozart said. "I took one of our machines home and iced like six times last night and this morning with compression. So, it's getting better. I would think I would be back sooner than later."

On Sunday vs. the Braves, Cozart was hit on the wrist by a Julio Teheran fastball in the first inning, then had ground ball strike his finger in the fourth inning, knocking him out of the game.

The bandage was removed from Cozart's finger, but a wrap remained on the wrist.

"I was worried about [the finger] Sunday. Now I'm worried [about my wrist]," Cozart said. "I could put my watch on today, so that's a positive."

Kristopher Negron started again at shortstop in place of Cozart, who planned to test his finger by throwing during batting practice.

"He's going to handle a lot of baseballs and have to swing the bat comfortably. At this point in time, I don't think either of those is 100 percent," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "But I do think both the injuries have come a long way in a 24-48 hour period. That's why we think he's a guy that could play in this series."