Mesoraco is not in Thursday's lineup against the Padres, MLB.com's Mark Sheldon reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mesoraco missed the last three games while on paternity leave, and the catcher will continue to sit on the bench for the finale of the San Diego series as Tucker Barnhart fills in behind the plate. The 29-year-old hasn't played much in the second half of this season; with knee issues, a shoulder injury and the birth of his child forcing Mesoraco to play in only 12 games since the All-Star break. During that span, he's hit just 4-for-26 from the plate, but figures to slide back into his regular role of getting 4-to-5 starts per week moving forward.

Mesoraco was reinstated from the paternity list Thursday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mesoraco was placed on the paternity list Monday, and the Reds have started Tucker Barnhart twice and Stuart Turner once in his absence. Now back in the fold, look for Mesoraco to draw the regular starts in relief of Barnhart, provided his nagging knee issues from the last few weeks don't continue to pose a problem.

Mesoraco was placed on the paternity list Monday.

EDGE Analysis

This helps explain Mesoraco's absence from the lineup for a second straight contest. He'll be away from the team for a maximum of three days, so he should be back with the big club before Thursday's series finale. In the meantime, Tucker Barnhart will serve as the Reds' primary backstop, while pitcher Austin Brice was recalled from Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Mesoraco is not in the lineup Monday against the Padres.

EDGE Analysis

The injury-riddled catcher will head to the bench for a second straight game in an attempt to keep him healthy for the rest of the season. Tucker Barnhart will again take over behind the dish for Mesoraco.

Mesoraco is not in the lineup Sunday against the Cardinals, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The embattled catcher returned to action Saturday with a two-strikeout showing, but in an effort to keep him healthy for the remainder of the year, he'll head to the bench for a day off. Tucker Barnhart will slot behind the dish to give Mesoraco a breather Sunday.

Mesoraco (knee) is back in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

Saturday's start will mark Mesoraco's first start in a week -- he has been limited to just one pinch-hit appearance so far in August due to a knee injury. He has battled hamstring and shoulder issues as well over the course of the season, and hasn't looked much at all like the player we saw break out in 2014 when on the field, slashing just .218/.318/.406 in 51 games.

Mesoraco (knee) could be back in the lineup within the next "48-to-72 hours" according to manager Bryan Price, The Cincinnati Enquirer's Zach Buchanan reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mesoraco has been out since Saturday with a knee injury that will force him to miss at least a couple more games. It doesn't appear as though the injury will warrant any sort of trip to the disabled list, but the catcher could miss a week of action by the time he comes back. In his place, Tucker Barnhart sets up behind the plate for Thursday's contest against the Pirates.

Mesoraco (knee) will miss his fourth straight game during Thursday's contest with the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

Mesoraco hasn't been a part of the starting lineup since Saturday when he exited the game against Miami due to knee injury. There hasn't been much word concerning Mesoraco's timetable, so he should be considered day-to-day moving forward. Tucker Barnhart will continue to draw the starts at catcher in his stead.

Mesoraco (knee) is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

Although his removal from Saturday's contest was considered precautionary, Mesoraco will now have missed three straight games due to the issue. Tucker Barnhart will assume catching duties in his stead.

Mesoraco (knee) is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

Despite Monday's off-day, Mesoraco's knee still isn't feeling well enough to allow him to get back behind the plate. Tucker Barnhart will continue to assume regular catching duties until the embattled catcher is healthy again.