Ryan Hanigan going on the disabled list means good news -- at least in the short-term -- for Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco, who should inherit most of the playing time in Hanigan's absence. Though, Reds manager Dusty Baker still seems to have some problems with Mesoraco's defensive game.
"Mesoraco is catching better and hitting better," Baker said, per MLB.com. "He just has to control the running game. It’s hard to control the running game like Hanigan controlled it."
Corky Miller was brought up to take Hanigan's roster spot, so it's not like Mesoraco's competition is a top prospect or a crafty veteran. This seems like a good time for Cincinnati to lean on Mesoraco and let him learn trial by fire.
Fantasy owners in need of catcher help can certainly look to Mesoraco in the short-term. He is improving offensively. He's hitting .273 with a .414 on-base percentage and .823 OPS in seven games after a productive spring, which he hit .326 with a .535 slugging percentage and .955 OPS in 23 games.