MLB Player News

Mesoraco will play in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Padres, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Mesoraco will bat leadoff Wednesday in order to get more at-bats, as he looks to make up for lost time a bit. The 28-year-old has been brought along slowly in camp after undergoing surgery last year to repair his right hip labrum -- he's had surgery on both hips in recent years, and on his shoulder. Mesoraco caught two innings Sunday in his spring debut and will look to gradually increase his workload behind the plate moving forward. The Reds are not expected to break camp with three catchers on the active roster.

Grandal went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run in Tuesday's Cactus League win over the Reds.

The 28-year-old is locked in at the plate during exhibition play, slashing an impressive .433/.469/1.035 in 32 plate appearances. In addition to adopting a meatless offseason diet, Grandal focused on improved his approach from the right side of the plate, something that limited him to bench role against left-handed starting pitchers in 2016. Manager Dave Roberts already committed to making the switch-hitting catcher the Dodgers' primary option behind the dish against both righties and lefties this season, leaving the door open for a potential improvement over last year's 27 homers and 72 RBI.

Murphy will miss 4-to-6 weeks with a hairline fracture of his right forearm, MLB.com's Thomas Harding reports.

He was hit by Anthony Rizzo's bat during the first inning of Saturday's game, yet remained in, so this news comes as a shock. Murphy's injury wasn't healing, so he went for tests this week that discovered the fracture. He should open the year on the disabled list; as such, Dustin Garneau figures to break camp on the active roster, spelling Tony Wolters against southpaws until Murphy is ready to return.

Plawecki (knee) will catch and bat eighth in the lineup for Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros, Matt Ehalt of The Record reports.

After Plawecki hurt his left knee following a collision at home plate back on Feb. 25, the Mets have been bringing him along slowly. Plawecki returned to workouts last week and was able to DH in spring games the last two days without issue, so manager Terry Collins will now deploy him in his usual spot behind the plate. Though Plawecki is now healthy and in no danger of missing the start of the season, he still could be headed for Triple-A Las Vegas to kick off in 2017 in order to see everyday at-bats.

The Reds will begin the season with just two catchers, whether Mesoraco is ready for Opening Day or not.

This doesn't necessarily mean Mesoraco will not be ready -- only that they won't carry a third catcher and limit Mesoraco's duties to pinch-hitting and spot starting behind the plate early on. If he's not ready to split the catching duties 50-50 right away, Mesoraco will begin the year on the DL.

Mesoraco caught two innings in his Cactus League debut Sunday, going 0-for-1 in his only at-bat. "It was good. Health-wise, I feel great," Mesoraco said. "I think my heart was beating a little faster than normal today, just getting out there for the first time in a while. I'll keep working, get back out there and get back to where I was."

Mesoraco is about two weeks behind teammate Tucker Barnhart, who will probably get a greater share of the workload early in the season before giving way to Mesoraco later, if Mesoraco can prove he's fully healthy.

Hedges (hamstring) is hitting again Sunday but is still being held out of baserunning and conditioning drills, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The backstop swung without issue on Saturday, and although the issue has been deemed to be fairly minor, Hedges still is taking things slowly as of now. As long as he experiences no setbacks, Hedges should be able to return to game action relatively soon, although a firmer timetable should become evident once he begins to run again.

Bethancourt will make his first catching appearance in the Padres' Cactus League game Sunday, Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The 25-year-old is being tested for a role as a dual catcher-pitcher this season, and he'll get his first action of the spring in his more familiar role after appearing exclusively as a hurler for the beginning of the spring. Bethancourt has found a surprising amount of success on the mound so far, allowing as many hits as he's garnered himself (none), so if he continues to find success there while playing good enough defense behind the plate, his combined role could be his calling card for a 25-man roster spot.

Plawecki (knee) will serve as the Mets' designated hitter for Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Plawecki had been out of the lineup for more than two weeks while dealing with a badly bruised left knee, and though he's yet to resume duties behind the plate, the fact that he's at least well enough to hit and run the bases Sunday is a step in the right direction. It's likely that the 26-year-old will get some time in at catcher before the spring draws to a close, but because of the extended action he's already missed, it appears he'll have little chance of beating out Rene Rivera for the No. 2 catching duties behind Travis d'Arnaud. Expect Plawecki to report to Triple-A Las Vegas to begin the 2017 season.

Hedges (hamstring) will take swings Saturday, Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

He is still not ready to return to game action, but he is trending in the right direction. Hedges posted monster numbers in the Pacific Coast League last year, and has become a trendy late-round target in two-catcher leagues, but it is unclear how much of his success will translate against big league pitching in more neutral hitting environments.