Nick Senzel returned Friday from a knee injury just in time to start at third base in the opener of a series against the reigning-champion Houston Astros and give rookie sensation Elly De La Cruz his first game off since he debuted June 6.
Shortstop/center fielder Jose Barrero, who as been on the roster since Opening Day, was optioned to Triple-A Louisville in the corresponding move.
Senzel was sidelined the minimum 10 days on the injured list after playing through soreness for about a week leading up to the move. He was hitting .258 with four home runs with the Reds at the time he went down with the injury.