MLB Player News

Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal (suspension) is batting .333 (3 for 9) with one double and one RBI through his first three games with Triple-A Tucson.

Grandal's 50-game suspension for testing positive for elevated levels of testosterone ends May 28. He's not sure if the Padres will recall him immediately, but Grandal said his focus is on making sure he's getting his at-bats leading up to his potential recall.

"I've got to get my work in first," Grandal said, per MLB.com. "I'm trying to get as many at-bats as I can here and trying to get a feel for the game again at the upper levels. I think they're going to be enough for me to go up to the big leagues. Whether I go up on the 28th or not, that's all up to [San Diego general manager] Josh Byrnes, I guess. I'm just concentrating on getting at-bats down here."

In early May, Padres catcher Nick Hundley was very critical of teammate Yasmani Grandal, who is on the verge of returning from a 50-game suspension for using performance-enhancing drugs. However, manager Bud Black said during an interview with MLB Network Radio that the incident has been handled.

"Nick Hundley's quotes are in the past," Black said. "I talked to them both, then they spoke. They're all good."

Hundley is expected to share the catching duties once Grandal's suspension ends.

Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal, who is serving a 50-game suspension, began his minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Tucson Saturday.

Grandal went 2 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI. He is not scheduled to play Sunday, but will resume his rehab Monday. He is eligible to return May 28 from suspension.

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson confirmed Friday that injured catcher Travis d'Arnaud (foot) should begin playing in minor league games by the end of June, Newsday reports.

The 24-year-old remains in a walking boot after he suffered a non-displaced fracture in his left foot during a game in the middle of April with Las Vegas. The Mets will move him along slowly.

Mets catcher Travis d'Arnaud saw a specialist Friday and was not cleared to resume baseball activities as the team hoped. He has been out since April 17 when he suffered a fracture in his right foot while playing for Triple-A Las Vegas. 

He will have to stay off his fractured foot for at least two more weeks, according to the Star-Ledger. He will need to be re-examined in two weeks to determine when he will be able to begin ramping up baseball activities and begin his rehab assignment. 

Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal, who is serving a 50-game suspension, will join Triple-A Tucson Saturday to begin a 10-day rehab assignment prior to his suspension ending May 28, according to U-T San Diego. Grandal has been sidelined all season and is expected to share catcher duties with Nick Hundley once active.

Mets catcher Travis d'Arnaud is scheduled to fly to New York to have his broken right foot examined Thursday, the Daily News reports. The team is hoping d'Arnaud will be cleared to ditch his walking boot and start a rehab assignment after his checkup.

He entered the season as the No. 23 prospect in baseball according to Baseball America, but fractured a bone in his right foot back in April.

Mets catcher Travis d'Arnaud will have his broken foot re-examined May 17.

He could begin a rehab assignment shortly after that date based on how well his exam goes. The initial diagnosis had d'Arnaud out until June, which still seems like the most likely scenario. 

Padres catcher Nick Hundley did not have positive things to say about teammate Yasmani Grandal. 

Grandal is set to return from his suspension in three weeks, and could usurp the starting role from Hundley.

When asked about Grandal Wednesday, Hundley responded by calling out the young catcher. "You want to talk about a guy who is unproven and had a good couple months on steroids, go ahead."

Hundley added that he hasn't thought about losing playing time once Grandal comes back. Hundley is hitting .270/.302/.450 in 100 at-bats this year.

Manager Bud Black said both catchers will get playing time once Grandal returns. He said the starting job will be based on performance. 

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco chose a good time to hit his first home run of 2013. He entered Tuesday's contest against the Braves in the ninth inning with his team trailing by one and launched a game-tying, solo shot off closer Craig Kimbrel.

Shin-Soo Choo would follow with a solo homer to give Cincinnati the 5-4 win.

Mesoraco is batting .237 with eight RBI through 20 games.