Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco and right fielder Jay Bruce are not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs.
Mesoraco has seen just two plate appearances as a pinch-hitter in the last two weeks as he continues to deal with left hip impingement. Brayan Pena gets the call behind the plate and will bat eighth.
"Unless we get into a situation where we feel we need a player that can do more than solely pinch-hit, he'll continue to do his rehab in preparation to get back behind the plate," manager Bryan Price said Sunday, per MLB.com. "It will still be a few more days before we kick the tires on Devin getting down into the crouch and doing some catching work. At this point in time, he can still contribute as an offensive player. In the big picture, he replaced Chris Dominguez, and Chris was getting some limited opportunities to play as a pinch-hitter, but it can be a very valuable role."
Bruce has started each of the team's first 17 games in right field but will get his first break of the season Sunday. With Bruce on the bench, first baseman Joey Votto is the only player on the team to have started every gamethis season. Brennan Boesch will man right field and bat fifth in the team's matchup against righty Jake Arrieta.
The Reds are home underdogs (+105) Sunday.