MLB Player News

Orioles catcher Johnny Monell was designated for assignment Monday to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Stephen Lombardozzi, who was acquired in a trade from Detroit. Monell has played just eight games in the majors, batting .125 (1 for 8) with one RBI and three strikeouts.

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco has been undergoing therapy, but has not been allowed to swing a bat, MLB.com reports Sunday.

Mesoraco has been sidelined since March 17 with an oblique injury. He hit .276/.290/.345 in 29 spring at-bats. His status remains uncertain for opening day.

"It's definitely getting close," Mesoraco said. "With this being maybe the first opening day I would play, I definitely want to be ready. I think right now I'm just focused on getting better and trying to improve that oblique every day."

The Padres re-assigned catcher Austin Hedges to minor-league camp on Sunday. He batted .278/.333/.278 with six RBI in 18 at-bats this spring.

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco is dealing with an oblique injury, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The team will know more about the severity of the injury after Mesoraco rests for a few days. He has hit .276/.290/.345 in 29 spring at-bats.

The Braves have optioned right-handers Juan Jaime and Luis Vasquez, catcher Christian Bethancourt and center fielder Todd Cunningham to Triple-A and shortstop Elmer Reyes to Double-A. None of the moves are considered a surprise.

The Orioles have optioned catcher Johnny Monell to minor league camp, leaving Steve Clevenger as the lone backup to starter Matt Wieters at that position.

Monell performed well enough at the plate this spring, batting .278 with one home run and six RBI in 18 at-bats. But he was outhit by Clevenger, who boasts the same power numbers with a .545 batting average that tops the Orioles among players with more than three plate appearances.

Pirates backup catcher Chris Stewart underwent minor surgery on his knee Wednesday, a source told SB Nation. He is expected to miss 4-6 weeks.

Indians catcher Yan Gomes turned in his best performance of the spring Tuesday, going 3 for 4 with two home runs, three runs and three RBI in his game against the Giants.

Gomes was just 7 for 30 with three runs and three RBI before smacking his first two home runs of the spring and doubling his RBI and run totals. He's set to take over as the team's regular catcher this season.

Pirates catcher Chris Stewart is scheduled to meet with Dr. James Andrews this week about his injured right knee, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The Pirates said surgery is "probable" for Stewart, who was injured in a March 12 game against the Twins.

The Red Sox announced Monday they optioned pitcher Allen Webster and catcher Christian Vazquez to Triple-A Pawtucket, while also reassigning shortstop Deven Marrero to minor-league camp.

"They're three guys that showed very well," manager John Farrell said. "They are very talented and not that far from big leagues."