Reds expect Mesoraco to carry biggest workload yet

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- In past seasons, the Reds have had clear a definition of catching duties: Ryan Hanigan caught three pitchers from the rotation and Devin Mesoraco took the other two.

The Reds signed Brayan Pena in the offseason and traded Hanigan to the Rays, making Mesoraco the No. 1 backstop. Reds manager Bryan Price doesn't expect to have Pena catching certain pitchers.

"There's going to be certain times when the matchup is going to be in our favor having Brayan back there as an offensive weapon," Price said Saturday.

In 2013, Hanigan caught Johnny Cueto, Homer Bailey and Bronson Arroyo, while Mesoraco caught Mat Latos and Mike Leake.

Price made clear what the catching depth chart looked like this year.

"Devin is the No. 1 catcher," he said. "He's going to catch more than he's caught in the past here. We feel like he's ready to lead our staff. Brayan is going to be our second guy. Unless there is a reason to do it, I don't have an intention to line up our starters with one catcher throughout the course of the entire year."