CINCINNATI -- The Reds activated Mike Moustakas from the 60-day injured list on Friday, but one other domino had to fall to get the third baseman back into the starting lineup. Moustakas’ return meant that former All-Star third baseman Eugenio Suárez was moved to the bench.

Batting fifth, Moustakas didn't show any rust from the layoff. The slugger hit a two-run double off starter JT Brubaker in the first inning. Moustakas finished 3-for-4 with three doubles and two runs scored in the 10-0 win.

When Moustakas left the lineup in May with plantar fasciitis in his right foot, Suárez was playing shortstop. Rookie Jonathan India has since locked himself at second base -- where Moustakas played last season -- and Kyle Farmer has taken hold as the regular shortstop and played well both defensively and offensively.

Before this season, it would have been hard to fathom that Suárez – who hit 49 homers in 2019 -- would be the odd man out. Although he’s tied for the team lead with 22 home runs, he has struggled offensively all season and entered the day batting .177/.260/.379 with a 70 wRC+ in 105 games. At times, he has also not been sharp defensively.

“Initially going into this, Moose is going to get a lot of playing time against right-handed starters at third base. Geno will get a lot of the playing time against the left-handers that we face, so that's kind of the starting point,” Reds manager David Bell said. “With only five infielders, there are going to be off-days here and there. The three infielders will not play every single day, we have the DH a few times.”

Bell met with both Moustakas and Suárez individually on Thursday to explain the plan.

“Just as expected -- and that No. 1 is professional, respectful, but also not an acceptance to the point of being a great teammate and doing what's best for the team and being professional and respectful, but at the same time, not expecting that they're anything less than everyday players,” Bell said. “That's exactly what I would expect from them, both of them and how I would want them to see it and handle it.

“I would never tell a player, especially Geno or Moose, how to handle something like that. I have a lot of trust and faith in both of them that they will do everything in their power to use it as a positive. I can kind of see the end and kind of the big picture and know that it's all going to work out beautifully and in everyone's best interest and in the best interest of our team. But as a competitor, they both see themselves as everyday players and rightfully so.”

For at least the next four games, the Reds will be facing right-handed starting pitchers. They can use the designated hitter for Monday’s makeup game at Cleveland.

Because the Reds optioned utility player Mike Freeman to Triple-A Louisville to make room for Moustakas, Suárez will serve as the backup shortstop when he isn’t in the starting lineup.

In four rehab assignment games with Louisville, Moustakas batted .357 (5-for-14) with one homer.

“Results are always good,” Moustakas said. “You want it to translate up here and help win some ballgames here. I felt good. I was just trying to get my timing down, see some pitches and put good swings on it. I did a pretty good job of that.”

Moustakas, 32, also showed his foot could handle standing for hours at his position and make quick reactions to plays -- defensively and offensively.

“Obviously, I haven’t played baseball in a couple of months,” Moustakas said. “So being able to get out there on the field and play nine innings and go through a whole game and everything that happens, you need to feel that before you come back here. I did all of that stuff, did a good job at it. I’m definitely ready to go now, for sure.”

Stephenson OK

Catcher Tyler Stephenson left Thursday’s 7-4 Reds win over the Pirates after five innings because of a left hamstring cramp. The club was relieved that the injury wasn’t more serious and wouldn’t require a stint on the IL. Stephenson was not in Friday’s lineup but was considered available off the bench.

“Especially with a catcher, if there's any concern more than a day or so, we're probably going to have to IL him just with only having two catchers,” Bell said. “That is not going to happen. Hopefully we'll have him back in the lineup in the next couple of days.”

Just in case, the Reds summoned catcher Beau Taylor from Triple-A Louisville to be on the taxi squad.