MLB Player News

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.

With the Reds offering catcher Miguel Olivo a $100,000 retention bonus to accept a minor-league assignment, the move essentially means Devin Mesoraco will make the 25-man roster, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Mesoraco is batting .361 (13 for 36) with two homers, three doubles and 11 RBI in 19 spring games.

"It’s not like he didn’t deserve it," manager Dusty Baker said of Mesoraco. "He did play well. (Monday), he had a bad game, but other than that he’s been great. You hope he’s gotten to the point -- and he says he has -- where he’s mature enough to realize it’s only a bad game and forget about it, then work on it, which he did yesterday.”

Giants manager Bruce Bochy told Comcast SportsNet Bay Area that he remains confident catcher Hector Sanchez will be ready for opening day. Sanchez, who battled a shoulder injury earlier this spring, played in a simulated game Tuesday morning and was able to make clear throws to bases without any pain. 

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 Indians optioned Yan Gomes and Cord Phelps to Triple-A Columbus on Monday.

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.

The Blue Jays have optioned catcher Josh Thole to Triple-A Buffalo Sunday. Thole was once believed to have been the favorite for the backup position in order to serve as R.A. Dickey's personal catcher this season. He produced a mediocre .171/.237/.286 slash line this spring.

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."