Byrd could return to Reds' lineup this weekend
CINCINNATI -- It appears the Reds will be getting left fielder Marlon Byrd back in the lineup sooner than anticipated.
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Just a day after announcing Byrd would begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Pensacola, Reds manager Bryan Price said he expects him to be back with the Reds as soon as this weekend.
"Here's some good news, Marlon's rehab has gone way better than I had ever anticipated," Price said prior to Wednesday's game against the Tigers. "His broken bone is mending quickly. He doesn't have soreness. He was able to do an awful lot of stuff -- baseball activity -- when we were on the road.
"Swinging the bat, running, throwing, doing all the things he needs to do. He'll play at least two games in Pensacola and if everything goes well there's a chance he could be back with us at some point in time this weekend. That's great news."
Byrd was placed on the 15-day disabled list on June 3 with a fractured right wrist after he was hit by a pitch on June 2 against the Phillies. Byrd began his rehab assignment on Pensacola Wednesday night and will play at least two games with the Blue Wahoos before returning to the Reds.
The 37-year-old was batting just .212/.286/.442 with 10 home runs and 25 RBIs before the injury, but had a .953 OPS in 26 games since the beginning of May.
Price said Byrd's effort to stay in shape is a huge factor in getting him back playing this quickly.
"One thing that Marlon did was he really invested in all of his cardo stuff and never wanted to lose his endurance and get out of shape," Price said. "He put a lot of hard work into [it] to be able to come back so quickly."
Injury update on Moscot
It looks like rookie starting pitcher Jon Moscot, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list after dislocating his left shoulder on Monday, could be out for a long period of time. Price said he will be meeting with the medical staff before Wednesday's game against the Tigers, but isn't anticipating a quick return.