Farmer is situated on the bench Wednesday against the Cubs, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Farmer was originally tabbed to start before being removed from the lineup in favor of Juan Graterol, who had his contract selected from Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday. In 122 plate appearances this season, Farmer is slashing .237/.279/.430 with six home runs and four stolen bases.

Farmer got his first start at catcher on Tuesday night, going 0-for-2 before being lifted for a pinch-hitter. He received passing marks for his defense and pitch-calling, John Fay of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

There was some concern about Farmer's game-calling given his absence from catching, but he did well. "He looked really good," Reds manager David Bell said. "If I wasn't intentional about watching him close, I wouldn't have noticed him back there in a good way. He looked like a Major League catcher. I thought he did a good job of receiving. He handled the game. He had a good presence back there. He called a good game. He did everything. We were confident going in, having gotten him through a game, we feel even better now."

Farmer will serve as the Reds' No. 2 catcher while Tucker Barnhart is out, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. "To his credit, even though he hasn't caught during the season, he's worked very hard to stay on top of his catching skills," manager David Bell said. "[Coach] J.R. [House] has done a good job of keeping him ready."

EDGE Analysis

Farmer hasn't caught in a game so far this season, but he has some big league experience behind the plate. "Extra-inning games, some blowout games I'd catch in the later innings. This is the first time I might be able to start a game at catcher, which is pretty cool," Farmer said. "I sat down with Tucker and Curt [Casali] today, I hadn't done a scouting report all year until today. That's another thing I have to get used to. It's just watching the game more in depth, watching how Curt calls a game and seeing the history of Tucker calling games, that's the biggest thing. And just getting my legs back into shape."

Farmer is in Tuesday's starting lineup for the Reds against the Cardinals, playing second base and batting seventh. He's hitting .222/.269/.472 on the season.

EDGE Analysis

Reds manager David Bell has taken to using Farmer at second base when they are facing a left-handed starter, as they are Tuesday in the form of Genesis Cabrera.

Farmer will start at first base and bat eighth Thursday against the Athletics.

EDGE Analysis

Farmer will stick in the lineup for the fourth straight game while starting at his third different position. The 28-year-old has been aided by the Reds having an extra lineup spot for the past three days with the designated hitter available in Oakland, but he'll be at risk of falling into a reserve role on a more regular basis once the Reds resume National League play in San Francisco this weekend.

Farmer hit a pinch-hit homer in Sunday's loss to the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

The homer was Farmer's fifth of the year and second in three days. It was also his first pinch-hit homer, which is important as many of his chances in the future are going to come as a pinch-hitter.

Farmer went 1-for-2 with a solo home and a walk Sunday against the Padres.

EDGE Analysis

Farmer took southpaw Brad Wieck deep in the seventh inning to record his third homer of the season after drawing the start at first base. Though he's had limited playing time, Farmer has shown he's capable of hitting for some power, as he is slugging .542 across 24 at-bats. However, with both Tucker Barnhart and Curt Casali ahead of him on the catching depth chart, Farmer's at-bats figure to only dry up further once Joey Votto (back) returns to the lineup.

Farmer is getting a start at first base Monday night in place of Joey Votto, batting eighth against the Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Reds are stacking the lineup with right-handers against Kershaw, with Scott Schebler being the only lefty in the lineup. Farmer is one of five former Dodgers in the lineup - along with Yasiel Puig, Schebler, Jose Peraza and Matt Kemp.

Farmer has played a limited role so far, hitting .167/.167/.667 with two homers in 12 at-bats.

EDGE Analysis

Though he's capable of catching, the Reds haven't used him there yet, as he's played three games at second base and a game at third. Most of his action has been as a pinch-hitter. With two other catchers on the active roster, that will continue to be his role.

Farmer was called up from the Reds' minor-league camp Saturday and will be included on the team's Opening Day roster, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Reds sent Farmer to the minors Friday in what appeared to be an acknowledgement that Curt Casali had secured the team's backup catcher job and that Derek Dietrich and Jose Iglesias had beaten Farmer out for utility infield roles. Farmer will still find himself third on the depth chart at catcher, but he's now on track to provide the team with another reserve option in the infield after Scooter Gennett was diagnosed with a strained right groin that will keep him sidelined for 8-to-12 weeks. Iglesias will assume the everyday gig at shortstop while Jose Peraza shifts over to second base as the main replacement for Gennett.