MLB Player News

I know it's very early in the season and could be a little early to plant this seed, but it's probably an interesting enough topic: If John Buck is still one of the Mets' top hitters by the end of May, does his presence keep New York from promoting uber prospect Travis d'Arnaud?

Now, history tells us it's unlikely Buck keeps up his current offensive pace because he's never been this good of a hitter for an entire season. While Buck has good pop for a catcher, he's also been very streaky. But let's say Buck defies the odds and is somehow on a good run a few months into the season and the Mets are still winning. What will or should the Mets do?

I only bring this up because d'Arnaud is one of the most owned minor leaguers (43 percent) and at the outset of the season everyone knew Buck was just keeping the catcher spot warm until d'Arnaud was ready. But it wouldn't surprise me if d'Arnaud's arrival is delayed if down the road the Mets are still winning and Buck is a large part of their success. You also have to consider his defensive presence. If the Mets' pitching staff is thriving because of Buck's abilities behind the plate, then it could be another reason Buck blocks d'Arnaud's path to the minors.

Brewers utility man Martin Maldonado earned the start at first base and enjoyed a big day at the plate during Monday's series opener against the Cubs.

Maldonado launched a bases-clearing double in the first inning and singled in the fifth and seventh. He finished 3 for 5 with three RBI in a 7-4 victory. The 25-year-old is hitting .286/.333/.429 with a home run and four RBI though his first 14 at-bats.

With the Brewers being decimated by injuries, the latest player taking a stab at first base is backup catcher Martin Maldonado, who played four games at the position last year. Maldonado made a nice scoop on a groundout throw late in Monday's game before a ninth-inning error, and may have bought himself a little more playing time with an overall solid defensive effort. 

It doesn't hurt that Maldonado also hit a serviceable .266 with eight home runs in 233 at-bats last year, pressed into service when Jonathan Lucroy went down with a broken hand. With Jean Segura out indefinitely, the Brewers have to use Alex Gonzalez and Yuniesky Betancourt at short and third, leaving first base open for the taking. 

Maldonado is a catcher who could be getting regular at-bats at first base, at least for as long as Segura is out. And if he continues to hit, he may work his way into at-bats even after Segura comes back. This is deep NL-only territory, but Maldonado represents one of those catcher-as-a-first-baseman moves that could pay off in daily leagues and the short-term. 

Through three games in the minors, Mets catcher Travis d'Arnaud is off to a good start.

D'Arnaud has already hit two doubles, and walked six times in those games. The 24-year-old was thought to be close to major-league ready this spring, but the team sent him to the minors to begin the season. He isn't expected to stay in Triple-A for long. The team will likely keep d'Arnaud in the minors until he accrues enough service time to push back his free agency. That should take about a month.

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco has the pedigree as one of the top prospects in the minors over the last few years, but he has been unable to translate that to the major-league level so far. He was on the bench for the fourth game in a row Friday, as he continues to struggle to find playing time.

Reds manager Dusty Baker told MLB.com that Mesoraco will start Saturday, but the team does not have a set plan for getting him consistent playing time right now. Baker did say he will likely begin to split time a bit more evenly between he and Ryan Hanigan as the season progresses.

"We needed Hanigan, who throws out [48.5] percent of baserunners to negate the speed of the Angels," Baker said. "As we get deeper along, I might feel the need to mix and match. [Hanigan] shouldn't be tired early. When the weather gets hot and as he gets tired, I might mix and match."

Brewers catcher Martin Maldonado made his first start of the season Wednesday night against the Rockies with Wily Peralta on the mound.

Manager Ron Roenicke told MLB.com that he does not know how much he will play the 26-year-old going forward behind starter Jonathan Lucroy.

"I do [have a ratio] in mind, but it changes all the time, and their production helps that decision," manager Ron Roenicke said. "If Maldy is swinging the bat like he was last year, he's going to play more than once every week or once every five days. He does such a good job, defensively, that if he's swinging the bat, he's going to be in there more."

Maldonado, who hit eight homers with 30 RBI in 233 at-bats last season, has been made no promises about playing time.

"That's fine with me," he said. "Like I always say, I come here every day expecting to play, and when it doesn't happen, you change."

The Diamondbacks reassigned catcher Tuffy Gosewisch to minor-league camp Friday. He hit .308/.438/.308 in 16 plate appearances this spring.

Gosewisch hit .216/.278/.345 with the Triple-A affiliates of the Phillies and Blue Jays in 2012.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy told the Contra Costa Times that catcher Hector Sanchez caught six innings in a minor league game Friday and appears ready for opening day.

Sanchez was shut down earlier in the spring due to a sore shoulder, but he hit a home run Friday and is not expected to have any trouble playing when the regular season begins.

Sanchez was the backup catcher for the Giants last season and will likely fill the same role this season. He batted .280 in 218 at bats, with three home runs and 34 RBI. 

Reds manager Dusty Baker refused to reveal his plans for the team's rotation at catcher this season between Ryan Hanigan and Devin Mesoraco.

"I’ll let you know," Baker said, per the Cincinnati Enquirer. "It will vary. (Ryan) Hanigan caught (Jonny) Cueto seven (innings) last night. It’s Mesoraco’s turn to catch (Wednesday). Day after night. That’s going to happen sometimes. You want to keep them both sharp. You don’t want to pair them up too much. What happens if your guy can’t hit a guy or day after night? It’s a long season. You look at that calendar with that schedule. When they fire that gun to go, there ain’t no stopping for a long time.”

Clearly, my colleague Michael Hurcomb isn't as optimistic, but I sense Dusty Baker's perception of Devin Mesoraco has changed enough that the 24-year-old former prospect could begin to realize his potential for the Reds this year.

He's had a good spring, for whatever that's worth, but more notable is Baker's acknowledgement of his good spring and recognition that he's improved since last season.

True, Mesoraco is still the backup to Ryan Hanigan to begin the year, but if he hits well enough in that role, I have a feeling the situation will sort itself out.

Then again, it's Baker we're talking about.