ST. LOUIS -- Three days and two games into his rehab assignment with Double-A Pensacola, Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco slugged his first home run Saturday. Certainly it's a good sign, but more important things lie ahead.
Following a day off Sunday, Mesoraco will get his biggest test yet, as he is scheduled to catch nine innings Monday for the first time.
"Getting to nine innings is a lot closer, for sure," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "Catching back-to-back is going to be big, as well and seeing how he comes out of that. Right now, it's just the durability. He's not coming out of any of these games feeling banged up, which is good."
On the 10-day disabled list, Mesoraco had left shoulder and right hip surgeries last year and has been working his way back. He's been setback-free to this point, but the club has been methodical with his rehab and hasn't rushed him back.
Mesoraco, who batted .235 in seven Spring Training games, is 2-for-6 in his two games for Pensacola.
"I'm getting a nice report from [Pensacola manager] Pat Kelly on his receiving and how he's moving behind the plate and how he's improving from one game to the next," Price said. "It was a very positive report."
Mesoraco's rehab assignment can run through April 25. It's possible he could return sooner once he catches nine innings three days in a row.
No worries about Votto
• Through his first five games, Joey Votto didn't draw a walk. His first occurred in his third plate appearance of Sunday's game. It's somewhat unusual for a player who has led the Majors in on-base percentage from his 2007 debut through the 2016 season. Votto entered Sunday batting .222.
"He's fine. I don't concern myself with him at this point," Price said. "You know how we talk about cycles. It starts hot for some, and starts cooler for others."