Reds' Price: Barnhart has earned more playing time

Tucker Barnhart seems to have taken over as the Reds' No. 1 catcher in Devin Mesoraco's absence.

Barnhart's start Sunday was his sixth in the last eight games. Brayan Pena was getting the bulk of the starts until recently.

Barnhart has earned the playing time with his bat. Barnhart is hitting .267 with three home runs and seven RBI in 90 at-bats.

"He has earned the time. In part because he's swung the bat well," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "But Brayan (Pena's) swung the bat well also. But he's earned the right to play and kind of split time with Brayan. You'll see it will be three and two. Other times, it will be three starts for Pena and two for Tucker. We'll flip it around. I think it will be that way for the rest of the year."

Barnhart, 24, was the Reds' 10th-round pick in the 2009 draft. He's long been considered a good defensive catcher. He was awarded the Gold Glove for minor league catchers in 2011.

"He's doing a good job," Price said. "It's a take-charge position. With a young guy, you have to get more comfortable with an experienced pitching staff. There's certain benefits with Tucker that he's here with (Michael) Lorenzen, (Anthony) DeSclafani, (Josh Smith) and (Raisel) Iglesias when he comes back. You have some guys he has caught at times in the minor leagues. That gives you immediate credibility.

"Taking charge of those veteran guys is going to be a big part of his development. I think he's getting better with that. Certainly, his catch-and-throw ability is outstanding."

Bourgeois, De Jesus Jr. get some playing time in

Jason Bourgeois started Sunday in center field despite Billy Hamilton being fine. In fact, Hamilton pinch-hit and drew a walk and stole second.

"Jason needs to play," Price said. "He had the rehab in Arizona and at Triple-A. We don't want to let too much time go by where he doesn't get multiple at-bats. He might lose his feel for his swing."

It was Bourgeois' first start of the year.



Ivan De Jesus Jr. started at shortstop.

"He had a nice game (Saturday)," Price said. "He can play all over. But with Marlon (Byrd) being back, there's not the opportunity to play left field. I've got to get (Skip Schumaker) in there and keep him fresh. So the spot is shortstop. Every now and again, we'll give (Todd) Frazier a day.

"(De Jesus has) been giving us good at-bats ever since he got here."