C. Trent Rosecrans

crosecrans@enquirer.com

Reds left-handed reliever Manny Parra hadn't pitched since the June 20 debacle against the Blue Jays when he appeared in Tuesday's game against the Padres. Parra's absence was a mixture of not being needed and dealing with what manager Bryan Price called a "cranky" right shoulder.

"We worked through that. He could have pitched, but we felt if we didn't pitch him, it gave him a better chance to continue without any flare-ups," Price said. "By the end of that San Francisco series, he was feeling much better."

Parra said he'd been bothered for a while by the shoulder, but couldn't put an exact date on when it started. He said he could have pitched if needed – it just so happened that few relievers were needed during the Reds' recent stretch. He said he's feeling back to normal now.

Price called Tuesday's outing a "test drive," but the car didn't really get out of the driveway, as Parra threw just one pitch – a strike – and catcher Devin Mesoraco threw Jake Goebbert out attempting to steal second to end the inning. With the pitcher's spot coming up next, Parra was taken out for a pinch-hitter.

LONG WEEKEND: Neither Joey Votto nor Devin Mesoraco were in Wednesday's lineup. With a day off on Thursday, it was a chance to give them more rest.

Mesoraco started eight of 10 games on this road trip and already has two trips to the disabled list this year.

As for Votto, his left knee continues to be an issue. Price used a pinch-runner for Votto in Monday's game and then removed him from Tuesday's game when the Padres amassed a six-run lead.

Votto has repeatedly said that if he's not on the disabled list, he's healthy and will not discuss the knee. Price has conceded that Votto is not at 100 percent and is unlikely to be at full health this season.

"We're all watching the same game," Price said. "I told him yesterday that I was going to give him this day off, to give him back-to-back days off."

Votto did pinch-hit for Johnny Cueto in the eighth inning.

Votto hit .207 with a .276 slugging percentage on the just-finished road trip, and has not hit a home run since May 10.