Reds’ P Michael Lorenzen has sprained elbow ligament

An MRI revealed pitcher Michael Lorenzen has a mild sprain of his ulnar collateral ligament and some tendinitis in his right elbow, the Reds said Tuesday.

This was considered good news, relatively speaking.

The right-hander will rest for now. He will be examined by team physician Dr. Timothy Kremchek on Thursday.

“I knew God was in control of the situation,” Lorenzen said. “It is good news because I get to help out the Reds this year.”

Until Lorenzen sees Kremchek, he doesn’t know how his treatment will go.

“You won’t see me playing catch,” Lorenzen said.

The pain lingered a couple weeks and wasn’t getting better.

“You never feel 100 percent when you pitch,” Lorenzen said. “Throwing a baseball is so unnatural. It wasn’t anything I hadn’t dealt with before but it wasn’t getting better. It wasn’t worth being a spring training all-star. It is better to rest it in spring training.

“The mental side of the game is more important than the physical side of the game. There is a lot I can do mentally. Just because I can’t do anything physically doesn’t mean that I can’t get better.”

Mesoraco ready: Devin Mesoraco has two more days to wait for a "can't wait" event. The ailing catcher has done all the drills, checked the boxes. He will be in the lineup Thursday for the first time this spring when the Reds play the Indians.

Unlike Billy Hamilton (shoulder), who shared DH duties with Kyle Waldrop against the Royals on Tuesday, Mesoraco is going right back to his position, catching in his first game.

“He’ll start with a light workload in regard to innings played,” manager Bryan Price said. “He will catch a few innings on the front end and work up to back-to-back days and be ready for the season.”

“I feel great,” Mesoraco said. “I’ve done everything, the catching drills, running the bases, hitting. It’s been a long, slow process and not a lot of fun. I miss being on the field with the guys.”

Duvall plays third: Adam Duvall is squarely in the left-field mix, but the Reds are giving him a chance to diversify. He's been taking grounders at third base.

“The Giants moved me from third because they had Pablo Sandoval,” Duvall said. “While I was up with the Giants, Brandon Belt was hurt with a series of concussions and I got a chance to play first base.

“Last year I played a lot of third and a lot of first. I started mixing in some outfield.”

Duvall played second base and shortstop for Louisville in college, but he’s made strides in the outfield.

“It kind of came natural,” he said. “I’m excited about it. I’ve been working more in the outfield because that’s the position that is open right now, that I’m competing for. Versatility always helps. I hope I can play well wherever they need me.”

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