New pitching and catching rotation may help Mesoraco

CINCINNATI -- As the Reds took two of three games from the Cubs over the weekend, catcher Devin Mesoraco did not see even a hint of action.

Combine that with the team being idle on Thursday, and Mesoraco's start on Monday was his first time playing after four days off. He last caught on Wednesday vs. the Mets. Reds manager Dusty Baker is exploring altering his catching tandem of Ryan Hanigan and Mesoraco.

"I've got to find a way to kind of change this [pitching] rotation up a little bit," Baker said on Monday. "The guys that are throwing well to [Hanigan] are throwing so well to him that it's not really fair to Mesoraco to miss three days in a row and expect to keep his stroke. We'll figure something out -- changing up off-days or something."

During the Cubs series, Hanigan caught Bronson Arroyo, Homer Bailey and Johnny Cueto as he usually does. Mesoraco often gets Mat Latos and Mike Leake. It was Leake who started vs. the Indians on Monday.

"I think [change will help]. Especially this time the way the off-day fell, four days off in a row is quite a bit," Mesoraco said. "It's not something I'm used to. I just went out there and tried to replicate some game situations the best I can, whether it be in batting practice or early work."

Mesoraco also fell back on his experience from his rookie season in 2012.

"It's not like it hadn't happened last year. I don't expect it to change a whole lot," Mesoraco said. "It just takes a little getting used to."