Barnhart (oblique) was activated off the 10-day injured list Friday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. He is starting at catcher and batting eighth versus the Rockies.
Barnhart had his lone rehab game with Triple-A Louisville on Thursday, which was apparently enough to clear the way for his return from the injured list given the dire situation behind the plate for the Reds. The 28-year-old figures to see the bulk of the starting catching duties with Curt Casali (knee), Kyle Farmer (concussion) and Juan Graterol (concussion) all on the shelf.