MLB Player News

The Reds optioned catcher Tucker Barnhart to Triple-A Louisville Sunday to clear a roster spot for starting pitcher Tony Cingrani, who was activated off the 15-day disabled list. Barnhart hit .107 (3 for 28) with one home run and one RBI in 10 games for the Reds.

Mets catcher Travis d'Arnaud was close to being benched before suffering his concussion, according to SNY.tv. 

The 25-year-old got off to a slow start, hitting just .196 over his first 102 at-bats. He's considered to be the future of the franchise at the position, so it's surprising the team would want to go away from him after a month and a half. Over the course of his minor-league career, d'Arnaud emerged as a strong prospect. He made the Baseball America top-100 list five times. He's currently on the seven-day disabled list due to a concussion. It's unclear if d'Arnaud will receive regular playing time once he's ready to return.

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco made his impact felt immediately in his return from the disabled list Friday against the Phillies.

Mesoraco clubbed his fourth home run in the first inning, a three-run shot that provided the margin of victory in a 3-0 win. He went 1 for 3 with a walk and two strikeouts otherwise.

Mesoraco was unbelievably hot prior to his hamstring injury, and picked up right where he left off. He is now hitting .460/.509/.820 in 50 at-bats, with four home runs and 16 RBI in 14 games.  

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco has been activated from the disabled list Friday.

Mesoraco will immediately get back to work. He's slated to catch and hit fifth against Kyle Kendrick. Through 47 at-bats, Mesoraco is hitting .468. He is coming off a hamstring injury.

Nationals catcher Sandy Leon has been optioned to Triple-A Friday.

Leon had a tough time in the majors, hitting .182 in 44 at-bats. With Wilson Ramos back, the team was carrying three catchers. Leon has been replaced by Greg Dobbs. 

Mets catcher Travis d'Arnaud has been placed on the 7-day disabled list reserved for concussion victims. Juan Centeno will take his place in the lineup Thursday against the Yankees.

The 25-year-old d'Arnaud sustained the concussion when he took a backswing to the head Tuesday night.

Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal is out of the lineup for the nightcap of the Thursday doubleheader in Cincinnati. He went hitless in Game 1 to lower his batting average to .209.

Mets catcher Travis d'Arnaud was dealing with some concussion-related symptoms after being hit by a backswing Tuesday, prompting the team to put him through concussion tests.

"He's had some symptoms, so the concern is that maybe it's concussion-related," general manager Sandy Alderson told MLB.com Wednesday. "We'll run the tests and see where he's at."

d'Arnaud felt dizzy after Tuesday's game, which kicked in the testing. He is a candidate for the 7-day disabled list if the test results come back positive. 

Mets catcher Travis d'Arnaud was not feeling well Wednesday after getting hit on the helmet with a backswing Tuesday. d'Arnaud is expected to undergo concussion tests, per the New York Post.

The Giants have proven willing to experiment with the first base position in recent years, and catcher Hector Sanchez was just the latest unfamiliar player to get a shot at the position. Sanchez  started at first base Tuesday against the Braves.

"He has pretty good hands and I think he can handle it," manager Bruce Bochy told MLB.com "We'll have to see how it goes. With [Brandon] Belt out, we're going to get a little creative here."

Of course, Sanchez's defensive acumen at a position he has played just once before, in a spring training game, isn't the reason he is in the lineup. Sanchez is hitting .353 over the last 10 games, and ranks fifth on the team with 16 RBI in just 64 trips to the plate.

"That's why he's out there today," Bochy said. "He's been driving in some key runs. You try to find a way to get that bat in the lineup."