Jonathan Broxton And Devin Mesoraco Expect To Return This Week

Mar 10, 2014; Surprise, AZ, USA; Cincinnati Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco (39) after the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

The Cincinnati Reds are getting their key pieces on the team back this week, catcher Devin Mesoraco was 0-for-2 with a strikeout in his third and final rehab assignment game on Saturday for Double-A Pensacola.

“They took him out early after [five] innings because of the weather,” Reds manager Bryan Price said. “They were a little bit concerned with him being so close to returning that he could be injured on the field, so they took him out.”

Mesoraco could be activated on this afternoon from the disabled list. The Reds will be opening a three-game series vs. the Cardinals.

“It appears that he will meet us in St. Louis,” Price said. “That’s the protocol we originally established so I anticipate seeing him [today.]”

With Mesoraco catching, Reds reliever Jonathan Broxton, started for Pensacola the second day in a row. Broxton threw one perfect inning on 14 pitches.

“It went fine. We anticipate that he’s in good health,” Price said.

Broxton is also expected to rejoin the Reds at St. Louis.

So, with Broxton expected to return this week, he will be the closer until Aroldis Chapman comeback from his injury

The next player hopefully to come back from his injury is Mat Latos, who is recovering from two surgeries he had to get last season and the beginning of spring training.