CINCINNATI (AP) — Well, at least the ailing Reds got an extra day to heal.

Cincinnati’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates was postponed on Tuesday night after a 55-minute wait because of steady rain. It wasn’t immediately rescheduled.

Both teams decided to bump their rotations back a day for the final game of the series on Wednesday, staying with their original starters for Tuesday. Juan Nicasio (3-3) will face Alfredo Simon (1-3).

The Reds have dropped 12 of 18, trying to get through the early part of the season with an unproven rotation decimated by injuries and a bullpen that fell apart. Reds relievers have only three saves and rank last in the majors with a 6.43 ERA and 27 homers allowed.

The idea is to try to tread water until they get some of their injured starters back, hoping that better outings from the rotation will take a load off the overtaxed bullpen. Only two Cincinnati starters have gone seven innings this season.

Several position players are working through aches and pains, too. Shortstop Zack Cozart has occasional pain in his right knee, a condition that will bother him throughout his first season back from surgery to fix two torn ligaments and a tendon.

“It’s my nature to be protective, especially with pitchers and guys with sore arms and guys with hamstring or back or knee (injuries),” manager Bryan Price said. “Obviously, there’s concern. But in the same respect, it’s 162 games in six months and we’ve got to play them and very few are going to be playing and feeling great.”

At least Price had some good news on his injured starters:

— Anthony DeSclafani (oblique) played catch without a problem on Tuesday and will throw in the bullpen in the next few days.

— Raisel Iglesias hasn’t had any pain in his pitching shoulder and will be re-examined on Wednesday to see when he can begin a throwing program.

— Jon Moscot had no problems with his left (non-throwing) shoulder after a 24-pitch session in the bullpen on Monday. He hurt the shoulder last season and had surgery, and it has bothered him when he pitches this year.

RAIN, RAIN

It was the second rain delay at Great American Ball Park this season and the 13th postponement in the history of the ballpark, which opened in 2003.

NO BRUISES FOR ONE DAY

The rainout amounted to a respite from the teams’ ongoing hit-by-pitch history. In the last four seasons, the Reds have hit 39 Pirates batters — six this season — while the Pirates also have hit 39 Reds batters, including three this season. It’s the most in the majors for two teams during that span. Joey Votto was plunked by Jonathon Niese in the series opener.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Pirates: John Jaso was healthy, but was going to get a day off if the game was played. David Freese would have taken his place at first base and batted leadoff.

Reds: C Devin Mesoraco had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder. His rehab is expected to take six months. “The damage was worse than expected,” Price said.

UP NEXT

Pirates: In his last start against the Reds on April 29, Nicasio allowed three hits in seven scoreless innings and struck out a season-high eight for a 4-1 win.

Reds: Simon went a season-high 7 2/3 innings and gave up three runs in a 9-5 win over the Brewers on Thursday. He became the second Reds starter to go seven innings this season. He’ll start in place of Tim Adleman, who has made only two career starts.

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