MLB Player News

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco could have hit 20 homers this spring and I don't think it would have made much of a difference in terms of his playing-time projection in 2013. We all know Mesoraco has a world of potential and is considered the future behind the plate for the Reds. But "future" is the key word.

While Mesoraco's spring surge might land him a spot on the 25-man roster, Ryan Hanigan's presence will prevent Mesoraco from being an everyday catcher, so don't move Mesoraco up Fantasy draft boards.

Reds manager Dusty Baker is a huge fan of Hanigan's because of Hanigan's defensive presence. The Reds are built to contend, so Hanigan's handling of the team's pitching staff is going to play a huge part in how Baker splits up the playing time behind the plate. It would be beneficial for the Reds to keep Mesoraco on the roster and have him continue to acclimate playing at the major-league level, but the catcher position isn't all about offensive production and Baker knows that. Mesoraco is still best left for deeper NL-only and Rotisserie formats that start two catchers.

Despite going 0 for 4 Monday, Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco is batting .361 this spring with two homers and 11 RBI. He has also slugged a solid .611 through 19 Cactus League games.

Mesoraco is competing with non-roster invite Miguel Olivo for the backup job to Ryan Hanigan.

"I feel like I came in with a good plan and came in prepared," Mesoraco told MLB.com. "I knew it was going to be a little bit different thing than last year. I had to prove myself. I'm happy with the way I've played and with the way things have turned out."

The Braves have optioned catcher Christian Bethancourt to Double-A.

The 21-year-old hit .243/.275/.291 in 288 plate appearances at Double-A last season. Catchers Evan Gattis and Gerald Laird will likely begin the year on the 25-man roster until Brian McCann is ready to return.

Mets top prospect Travis d'Arnaud was optioned to the team's minor-league camp on Sunday after an encouraging showing in Grapefruit League play. The highly touted catcher produced an impressive .355/.432/.484 slash line in 15 exhibition games, but New York can delay his first year of arbitration eligibility by a year if he's promoted later in the season, likely in mid-June.

"He played very well," general manager Sandy Alderson told ESPN.com. "He met all of our expectations, which I think for the organization and Mets fans were fairly high. He did a very nice job."

Giants catcher Hector Sanchez resumed throwing and taking swings from the left side without reporting any shoulder pain, according to Comcast SportsNet Bay Area. Manager Bruce Bochy said that Sanchez is expected to play in an exhibition game in two or three days, barring any setbacks.

Giants catcher Hector Sanchez (shoulder) returned to action in a pinch-hit appearance Thursday against the Rockies in Cactus League action. Sanchez, who had not played since March 12, came on in the sixth inning as a DH and struck out swinging. He is hitting .200 with three RBI in 20 at-bats this spring.

The Giants have re-assigned catcher Johnny Monell to minor-league camp. Monell went 10 for 20 with a home run and five RBI in 14 Cactus League apperances.

Jon Heyman's estimation that the Mets' Travis d'Arnaud will spend only 1-3 months in the minors is kind of along the lines of what I've been thinking as I've drafted him as my second catcher in Rotisserie leagues and perhaps even my No. 1 in NL-only formats. Obviously, I'm hoping it's closer to the shorter end of that time frame, and sizing up the Mets' catcher situation, with John Buck at the top of the depth chart, I suspect it will be.

I mean, it's not like d'Arnaud isn't ready. The Blue Jays were planning to call him up before he tore a knee ligament last June.

Of course, Super 2 considerations could factor in to the decision, but given my newfound confidence in Tyler Flowers and Jason Castro as fallback options, stashing d'Arnaud is still worth the risk to me.

Mets catching prospect Travis d’Arnaud is expected to begin the season in Triple-A but will only be down there for one to three months, according to CBSSports.com’s Jon Heyman.

He was acquired in the R.A. Dickey trade and is expected to be the team’s catcher of the future. In 303 Triple-A plate appearances last season, d’Arnaud, 24, hit .333/.380/.595. 

The Mets will likely open the season with John Buck behind the plate. d’Arnaud should be a popular waiver wire pickup once he's promoted to the majors. 

MLB.com reports the Marlins reassigned Doug Mathis, Mitch Talbot, Ed Lucas and J.T. Realmuto to minor-league camp Wednesday.