Mesoraco (hip) will get at-bats as the designated hitter this weekend against the White Sox, John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

General manager Walt Jocketty said last week that Mesoraco likely wouldn't be ready to catch for another 7-to-10 days, but Mesoraco still hasn't even tested the hip by squatting. However, with the DH option available this weekend at U.S. Cellular Field, it sounds like Mesoraco will make his first starts since Apr. 11. He's trying to avoid surgery on the hip, which would carry with it a four-month rehabilitation.

Reds GM Walt Jocketty said on Sirius/XM MLB Radio on Wednesday that Mesoraco (hip) is still having trouble squatting and won't likely catch for another 7-to-10 days.

Because the Reds have a road interleague series next week, and because they believe they don't have anyone better to call up to use a pinch-hitter, Mesoraco won't go on the DL, but instead stay active for pinch-hit and DH duty.

Mesoraco (hip) remains out of the lineup Wednesday against the Brewers, James Ramsey of MLB.com reports.

Mesoraco has served as a pinch hitter multiple times over the past couple weeks, but remains unable to catch for the club. Wednesday will be his 17th straight game out of the starting lineup, and there's no indication of when a potential return is coming.

Mesoraco (hip) remains out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Brewers, C. Trent Rosencrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

This marks 16 consecutive games out of the starting lineup, but Mesoraco should still be available as a pinch hitter. Reds manager Bryan Price indicated this weekend that Mesoraco may be ready to play the field within the next few days.

Mesoraco (hip) is not in the lineup Monday against the Brewers, John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Mesoraco was once again able to pinch-hit Sunday, but he'll now be held out of the lineup for a fourteenth consecutive game. Manager Bryan Price indicated the catcher still needs at least a few more days until he's ready to return to the field, but for the time being he should continue being available in a pinch-hitter capacity.

Mesoraco (hip) once again appeared in a pinch-hit role Sunday, drawing a walk. He will not attempt to catch for another few more days, however.

Reds manager Bryan Price is content using Mesoraco in this pinch-hitting role for the time being. "Unless we get into a situation where we feel we need a player that can do more than solely pinch-hit, he'll continue to do his rehab in preparation to get back behind the plate," Price said. "It will still be a few more days before we kick the tires on Devin getting down into the crouch and doing some catching work. At this point in time, he can still contribute as an offensive player."

Mesoraco (hip) will not be in the lineup Sunday against the Cubs, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Mesoraco was able to pinch-hit in Friday's series opener, but still isn't ready to see action behind the plate just yet. The Reds' willingness to use him in any capacity in recent days suggest there's no plan for him to be placed on the disabled list, though it still remains unclear when he might be able to resume catching full-time. Brayan Pena draws another nod behind the plate Sunday.

Mesoraco (hip) remains out of the starting lineup Saturday, according to Reds assistant director of media relations Jamie Ramsey.

Brayan Pena will catch again Saturday, while Mesoraco is taking a seat for the 13th consecutive game. Mesoraco struck out as a pinch-hitter Friday night, once again eliminating the possibility of a retroactive DL stint.

Mesoraco (hip) still hasn't tried to catch, but is hoping to do that soon. "I would imagine we'll catch a bullpen here in the next couple of days," Mesoraco said on Friday. "We haven't really set the date, but I would assume pretty quickly."

Once again, Mesoraco was used in a pinch-hitting role, but struck out in the seventh inning. It appears it's going to be a full two weeks from the point of his injury before he's ready to be back in the starting lineup. The Reds have essentially played a man short over that time. They may have been better off just putting him on the DL and allowing him to ease his way back by playing in a few rehab games in the minors, but that opportunity is gone now.

Mesoraco (hip) remains out of the lineup Friday against the Cubs.

Brayan Pena will once again man the backstop for Cincinnati, with Mesoraco set to miss his 12th straight start due to the hip injury. Mesoraco made a pinch-hit appearance Tuesday, and he told the Cincinnati Enquirer that he hoped to catch a bullpen session at some point before the team left Milwaukee. It's uncertain, however, whether he was cleared to resume catching on the side.

Mesoraco (hip) is out of the lineup Thursday, the Cincinnati Enquirer's C. Trent Rosecrans reports.

He has been out of the lineup since Apr. 12, but made a pinch-hit appearance Tuesday, meaning he likely won't end up on the DL, and should be back in the lineup in short order. Tucker Barnhart will get the start behind the dish Thursday.

Mesoraco (hip) remains out of the lineup Wednesday against the Brewers, C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Mesoraco made a pinch hit appearance during Tuesday's game, likely indicating the Reds aren't considering him for a DL stint. He continues to be day-to-day at this point, but Brayan Pena will start behind the plate again Wednesday.

Mesoraco (hip) was used as a pinch-hitter Tuesday against the Brewers and drew a walk.

This prevents the Reds from backdating any potential DL move, which suggests that the Reds believe he is close to returning to the lineup.

Mesoraco (hip) rejoined the team Tuesday and said he is available for pinch-hitting duties, C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

After a couple days away spent dealing with a family matter, Mesoraco is back with the team in Milwaukee and it sounds like he could be used off the bench Tuesday. It's possible the Reds could hold off on using him, though, as they may want to leave the door open for a backdated DL stint. The hip impingement has prevented Mesoraco from catching since April 12.

Mesoraco (hip) remains out of the lineup Tuesday against the Brewers.

Tuesday's absence will mark Mesoraco's eighth straight. He was expected to rejoin the team Tuesday after leaving to tend to a family matter, but it's uncertain if he's actually back with the club in Milwaukee and his status for the days ahead is also up in the air. Mesoraco has been battling a hip impingement but the team has held off on a DL stint to this point.

Mesoraco (hip) is away from the Reds for a family matter, but is expected to rejoin the club Tuesday, C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Mesoraco has been held out of the lineup with a hip injury as of late, and will now take a brief absence from the club, leaving the Reds a man short off the bench. He's considered day-to-day, and a return to the lineup could come at any point, though there's no guaranteed date.

Mesoraco (hip) is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Brewers, C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Mesoraco will now be held out of his seventh consecutive contest, and at this point the Reds may be considering placing the catcher on the disabled list, which would be retroactive to April 13. The team has avoided making the move so far, so there's still a chance that he'll be able to return within the coming days. Brayan Pena will get the start behind the plate, batting sixth.

Mesoraco (hip) was not in the Reds' clubhouse after the game Sunday night and his bag was packed up ahead of his teammates, with the inference being that he wasn't really available to pinch-hit in the loss.

The Reds have been hoping to avoid putting Mesoraco on the DL, but that proposition looks shakier now. There was a point in the ninth inning when the Reds turned to Brayan Pena to pinch-hit for Mike Leake (this, after letting Tucker Barnhart hit) instead of using Mesoraco. When asked if he considered Mesoraco in that spot, manager Bryan Price replied: "Uh, no. Nope," said Price, before chuckling a little and taking a pause. "No, I did not."

Mesoraco (hip) will not be in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

It will mark the seventh straight start Mesoraco has missed due to the left hip injury. He hasn't appeared in any gamse since April 12, which could prompt the Reds to place him on the DL within the next couple of days if he fails to return to full health. For now, the team still appears to be viewing him as day-to-day, and there remains a possibility that he could come on as a pinch-hitter Sunday.

Mesoraco (hip) remains out of the starting lineup Saturday against the Cardinals.

Brayan Pena is getting another start behind the plate Saturday. Mesoraco was believed to be available to pinch-hit if needed Friday night, but he did not come off the bench at any point. He hasn't played since Sunday as a result of the injury.