Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart is expected to get the start behind the plate Thursday in what would be his major-league debut, MLB.com reports.
"We know he can receive and throw, block. He calls a good game," manager Bryan Price said. "Our pitchers enjoy throwing to him. ... We would've loved to allow him to get some seasoning at Triple-A, get used to catching more veteran, experienced pitchers and seeing what it's like to hit off those same types of pitchers in Triple-A. That being said, there's no reluctance whatsoever to have him on our team working with our pitching staff. I think he'll do a phenomenal job and give us great support until we get Devin [Mesoraco] back."
Barnhart spent last season with Double-A Pensacola, hitting .260/.348/.348 with three home runs and 44 RBI in 339 at-bats.