MLB Player News

Bethancourt will pitch in the Panama Winter League soon, Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The Padres have been working with the catcher on his pitching mechanics, and he recently had his fastball clocked at 97 miles per hour. Bethancourt is even developing a changeup, although the Padres are still insisting that he is not fully converting to the mound. His role for the 2017 season should become clearer once he logs some innings in Panama, although his high-octane arm could push him to the bullpen more frequently if all goes well over the winter.

Mesoraco (hip, shoulder) was activated from the disabled list Thursday.

Mesoraco's 2016 season was one to forget, as he went 7-for-50 (.140) over 16 games before missing the remainder of the year with injuries. However, he'll have another chance to play at catcher this coming season and try to display the promise he did in 2014, when he hit .273/.359/.534.

The Reds plan to have Mesoraco (hip, shoulder) back behind the plate next season.

Following a breakout campaign in 2014, Mesoraco has combined to play in just 39 games over the past two seasons as he's required significant surgery on both his hip and left shoulder. He is expected to be ready to resume catching duties in mid-to-late January and Mesoraco is still just 28, but there are doubts about his ability to hold up to the rigors of catching duties. Tucker Barnhart took over for Mesoraco in 2016 and filled in capably behind the dish, but did little of note with the bat.

Grandal is not in the lineup Thursday for the Dodgers' Game 5 NLCS tilt with the Cubs.

Grandal has acted as the primary catcher for Los Angeles during the postseason, but given his poor .111 batting line during the playoffs, the Dodgers will give him the night off. Carlos Ruiz will slot into the lineup behind the plate in his stead.

The Cardinals outrighted Rosario off its 40-man major-league club.

His destination isn't yet known, but Rosario was at best the fourth catcher on the extended September roster anyway.

The Cardinals have removed Ohlman from their 40-man major-league roster.

The announcement doesn't yet say where he'll wind up, but he's so far down on this depth chart that he'll need dominoes to fall before he contributes at the big-league level.

Contreras is not in the lineup for Game 3 of the NLDS on Monday against the Giants, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

Contreras caught in Game 2 and went 2-for-3 in the process, but he'll cycle out of the lineup once again. The Cubs will go with their third different catcher in three games, as after David Ross was behind the plate in Game 1, Miguel Montero will get a turn in Monday's Game 3.

Contreras went 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and a walk in Sunday's 7-4 win over the Reds.

Contreras helped keep the game close with his fourth-inning RBI single and eighth-inning solo homer, both of which trimmed Cincinnati's lead to one. Chicago then rallied for four runs in the ninth for its 103rd win of the year. Contreras played a key role in his team's success this year, slashing .282/.357/.488 with 12 home runs and 35 RBI in 283 plate appearances. The 24-year-old rookie excelled after his call-up in mid-June and should be locked in as the Cubs' starting backstop next year.

Realmuto is not in the lineup for Sunday's season finale against the Nationals, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

Realmuto will rest for a second straight day as the Marlins' season comes to a close. Barring a pinch-hit appearance, he will finish the season having posted a .300/.343/.428 batting line with 11 home runs and 12 stolen bases, both career highs, while Tomas Telis will step in behind the plate.

Maldonado will yield Sunday's season-finale start behind the plate to Andrew Susac.

Susac will bat seventh for the Brewers, while Maldonado will finish the season having gathered just a .202/.332/.351 batting line with eight home runs over 76 games. It's unlikely he fits the mold of a starting catcher for the Brewers moving forward, and it wouldn't be surprising if he returns to a backup role in 2017.