CINCINNATI -- It was already unlikely that Devin Mesoraco would be able to return to the Reds' lineup this season because of a torn labrum in his left shoulder. What the doctors discovered during Tuesday's surgery made that prognosis definite.
Manager Bryan Price said the damage was "worse than expected" in both the anterior and posterior portions of the labrum and that Mesoraco's rehabilitation would take closer to the six-month end of the original estimation of four-to-six months.
The procedure was performed by Dr. Tim Kremchek, the Reds' medical director.
"But," Price said, "we are optimistic that he will be ready to go and at full speed when we get to Spring Training."
Mesoraco played in just 23 games last season because of a left hip impingement that eventually required surgery. He appeared in only 16 games this season, batting .140/.218/.160 with no home runs and one RBI.
Tucker Barnhart has taken over the everyday catching duties, with Ramon Cabrera serving as his backup. Barnhart is hitting .266/.319/.375 this season. His first home run of the year proved to be the game-winner in Monday's 3-2 victory against Pittsburgh.
Pitchers improving
There was positive news with a bevy of Reds pitchers currently on the disabled list.
• Right-hander Jon Moscot threw a 24-pitch bullpen on Monday, the first time he has pitched off a mound since going on the 15-day disabled list with tightness in his left shoulder. Moscot had surgery on that shoulder last June after dislocating it in a collision on a rundown play. He came back Tuesday with a long-toss session, and he said he is expecting to throw a 45-pitch bullpen session on Wednesday.
"Any time you're hurt, it's frustrating and you've got to work through it," Moscot said. "But it's tougher to deal with when it's not something that's on your throwing side."
• Right-hander Raisel Iglesias (right shoulder) is expected to be re-examined on Wednesday. Price is hopeful he can begin a throwing program soon.
• Right-hander Anthony DeSclafani played catch on Tuesday. Price said he is tentatively due to have a bullpen session this week as long as there are no setbacks with his left oblique, which was strained on a rehab assignment on April 29 at Class A Dayton.
• Right-hander Michael Lorenzen (right elbow) has begun throwing on flat ground and is expected to have his first bullpen session since Spring Training as early as Wednesday, Price said. Lorenzen is on the 60-day DL after also battling a case of mononucleosis this spring. He is eligible to come off that list on June 2.