MLB Player News

Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal made it into the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Dodgers after Rene Rivera started the season opener Sunday. It was Grandal's first start since hurting his knee July 6 against the Nationals. 

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco will catch for Mat Latos and get some at-bats in Thursday's home opener for Double-A Pensacola, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Mesoraco was placed on the disabled list with an oblique issue to begin the season, but if he comes out of Thursday's game healthy, he could be activated soon after and still see some playing time in the regular season's first week. He was only able to get 29 at-bats this spring while dealing with the injury.

Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal will not start Sunday night against Los Angeles.

Grandal has been recovering from knee surgery during camp, but was healthy enough to make the club's opening day roster. While he's expected to eventually earn the starting job, Grandal will likely receive spot starts early in the year in order to make sure he doesn't reinjure himself.

An oblique injury has forced Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco to the 15-day disabled list.

Mesoraco has been making progress, but the team wants to take a cautious approach. The stint is backdated to March 21. Brayan Pena will receive the bulk of the playing time with Mesoraco out of action. He will hopefully return in early April.

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco is not in the team's opening day lineup Monday, according to the Cincinnati Reds.

Mesoraco has been dealing with an oblique injury, but was able to take swings earlier in the week. He was limited to 29 spring at-bats due to the injury. Brayan Pena will start in his place and hit eighth.

Diamondbacks catcher Tuffy Gosewisch beat out veteran Henry Blanco for the team's backup catching duties, MLB.com reports.

Gosewisch slashed .316/.316/.579 with one home run and four RBI in 19 Cactus League at-bats. Blanco will use the next 24 hours to search for a big-league job. If he's unable to find a team to play for, he'll likely become Arizona's seventh coach.

The Nationals announced Wednesday that infielder Jeff Kobernus has been optioned to Triple-A and catcher Sandy Leon has been optioned to Double-A Harrisburg.

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco is unlikely to play in a game Thursday, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Mesoraco has been dealing with an oblique injury, but has been able to take swings the past two days. His opening day status is already in question. Mesoraco hit .238/.287/.362 in 323 at-bats last year.

Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal was behind the plate for nine innings in a minor-league game Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

Grandal is working his way back from season-ending knee surgery and could end up making the team's active roster on opening day, as the ability to catch a full nine innings is a big hurdle to overcome.

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco (oblique) took 50 swings Tuesday after taking 30 swings with a bat Monday, per MLB.com.

"Thirty off the tee and 20 from soft toss," said Mesoraco, who strained his oblique on March 19. "I want to say I was swinging around 75 percent of what I normally do. It’s probably better than the 120 percent I usually swing. Everything felt good. I think it was a good step. I want to say there’s still a little bit of tiredness or weakness in that area but it’s not as isolated as what it was and it’s definitely not a pulling or pain thing. We’ve been working it pretty hard so it’s a little worn out."

Mesoraco still is unsure if he will be ready for the start of the season.

"We’re getting down to it here and we’re pretty close. We’ll see," Mesoraco said. "It’s going to be close either way. It’s getting better. That’s all I’m concerned with right now. It’s a lot of steps in the right direction."