MLB Player News

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco was able to do catching drills before Tuesday's game. Mesoraco suffered a left hip impingement in early April and hasn't played catcher since. 

Mesoraco said he was able to get into a catcher's squat about 15 times, per MLB.com. He also simulated throwing to second base, at 20 percent effort, about 15 times. 

At least I know I can get into squat position, which I hadn't done for 30-something days," Mesoraco said. "It's good. Definitely baby steps. We're not going to go crazy because those muscles haven't been used. It's going to be a slow process."

Mesoraco hopes to catch a bullpen session this weekend. 

The Mets aren't considering a trade until they get their injured starters back. Third baseman David Wright (back) and catcher Travis d'Arnaud (hand) are both on the disabled list. 

"Right now we’re not looking outside," GM Sandy Alderson said, per the New York Post. "We’re looking inside to get some of our players back and see where we are at that point."

Mets catcher Travis d'Arnaud took dry swings on Tuesday, as he continues recovery from the hand injury that landed him on the disabled list. 

Mets general manger Sandy Alderson said that d'Arnaud should be back later this month."I think a week is way too aggressive," he said, per NJ.com.

Devin Mesoraco is in the Reds' starting lineup on Tuesday against the Royals. As expected, with the team in an American League ballpark, Mesoraco will have the chance to be the designated hitter. 

Mesoraco is batting eighth in the order for manager Bryan Price. He has been limited to pinch-hit and DH duties for most of the season due to a hip impingement. He has just six hits in 39 at-bats this season. 

Price said that Mesoraco will do some catching activities on Tuesday, as he hopes to have him back behind the plate in the near future. 

Mets catcher Anthony Recker will get the start behind the plate on Tuesday against the Cardinals. With Kevin Plawecki catching all 14 innings on Monday, manager Terry Collins decided to rest the youngster in favor of Recker. 

Recker has struggled offensively in limited time, collecting five hits, including two home runs in 27 at-bats. Plawecki should return to the lineup on Wednesday.

Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto went 1 for 4 at the plate in Miami's 3-2 loss to the Diamondbacks in 13 innings on Monday.

Realmuto did his damage in the seventh inning when he crushed a Rubby De La Rosa pitch over the left field wall for a two-run home run, the first of his career.

Realmuto is now hitting .227 with eight RBI in 97 at-bats this season.

Mets catcher Kevin Plawecki is back in the starting lineup on Monday against the Cardinals after getting the day off on Sunday, the team announced.

Plawecki was replaced by John Monell on Sunday. He has only started two of the last five games for New York. Plawecki is hitting .226 in 62 at-bats this season. The Mets are currently the favorites (-130) against St. Louis.

Marlins first baseman Justin Bour will bat fourth in the lineup on Monday against the Diamondbacks, the first time he has done so this year, the team announced.

Bour, who will make just his fifth start of the year, will replace Michael Morse at first. Marcell Ozuna, the normal cleanup hitter, will slide down to fifth.

"Putting Justin there, putting him in the four hole," manager Dan Jennings said to Fox Sports Florida. "Trying to create some left, right leverage in the lineup. Let's see what happens. As I told these guys. There are 13 position players that are going to be utilized. We'll get guys days off, we'll use the bench, we'll rest our regulars. We all need to be ready to contribute when the bell rings.

J.T. Realmuto also returns to the lineup on Monday after getting the day off Sunday.

The Marlins are currently the favorites (-122) against Arizona.

Mets catcher Travis d'Arnaud received the go-ahead to start swinging a bat as he recovers from a finger injury, and he took 10 dry swings Monday, according to NJ.com. 

While d'Arnaud has been participating in other baseball-related activities, swinging was a major step in his recovery. There is no timetable for his return to the Mets, per GM Sandy Alderson. 

"It's not just about the swings," he said, noting d'Arnaud has to build up the strength to catch nine innings. 

Padres catcher Austin Hedges is already becoming a favorite in the locker room. The rookie is now showing off what many regarded as his top skill in the minors, his defense, according to MLB.com.

"We saw the quick feet, [the] powerful arm," said Padres manager Bud Black. "Great reaction, arm strength, accurate … that's what we've seen out of him since the day we signed him."

Hedges gunned down Ian Desmond on Saturday when he tried to steal second base on a delayed steal. 

"That was cool. I had definitely thought of that [first caught stealing], what would it be … I didn't expect it to be at third," Hedges said. "That was a big situation and it helped us get out of the inning. I was pretty pumped about that."