MLB Player News

Braves catcher Christian Bethancourt came out of Thursday's game after taking a batted ball to the knee but said after the game that the team was just being cautious, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

"It’s just a hit," Bethancourt said. "It’s just spring training. You don’t want anything to get worse. I’m OK. I didn’t want to come out after I got hit. They took me out for protection. It does hurt. It’s part of the game. I’m a catcher. I’m used to getting hit all the time."

Manager Fredi Gonzalez hadn't planned to play the catcher Friday even before he took a ball to the knee, but it sounds like Bethancourt will be back in action this weekend.

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco said he is feeling much better since leaving Saturday's spring game due to a concussion, per the Cincinnati Enquirer.

"I did some baseball stuff [Wednesday] and didn't experience any problems, so it shouldn't be too much longer," Mesoraco said Thursday, per MLB.com. "I hit on the field, stretched with everybody, did basically [what] I would do if I wasn't playing. No problem."

The Reds do not have a date for Mesoraco to return to the lineup.

"It's a day-by-day thing," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "He'll have to graduate to catching in the bullpen and make sure everything is fine in that regard, pass all the testing protocols the trainers put him through and Dr. [Tim] Kremchek. Then we'll get him back in there."

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco (concussion) is ready to increase his baseball activity and progress to throwing, MLB.com reports.

"Devin will increase our baseball activity as well," manager Bryan Price said Wednesday morning. "He's already in the cage hitting. He'll go out there and throw."

Mesoraco suffered a concussion after getting hit in the mask with a foul ball Saturday.

Diamondbacks catcher Oscar Hernandez has fractured hamate bone in his hand. The Rule 5 pick is scheduled to have surgery on Thursday, according to MLB.com. His timetable will be established once he undergoes the procedure. If he is not on the Diamondbacks' active roster to start the season, he'll be returned to the Rays.

Catcher Oscar Hernandez left the Diamondbacks' spring training game earlier than expected on Tuesday. 

Hernandez was pulled from the game for precautionary purposes, with soreness in his left wrist, according to the team. 

Mets catcher Travis d'Arnaud (finger) is back in the starting lineup Tuesday.

The catcher cut his finger Sunday but the injury did not require stitches, leaving him ready to return after one day of rest. d'Arnaud is just 1 for 11 in four spring appearances.

Giants catcher Hector Sanchez (thumb) is back in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Padres.

Sanchez missed Sunday and Monday while recovering from a bruised thumb. He's ready to return to his competition for the backup catcher role with the Giants. Sanchez is 1 for 6 with a double this spring.

Diamondbacks catcher Oscar Hernandez is feeling strong in his first ever spring training. The 21-year-old who has never played above Low-A in his career, is a part of an eight-man race for the catching position in Arizona, but he's not feeling the pressure, reports AZCentral.com.

"Honestly, I don't feel pressure," he said. "I just feel like I'm part of the team. I know I'm trying to make the team. I know that. But I have this big opportunity and that's why I'm working hard. I'm confident. That's me. I believe in myself."

He's just trying to take it all in.

"Right now, I'm like an open book — learning, learning, learning," Hernandez said. "I just want to learn about these guys because they're new for me. Details are going to make you better."

Mets catcher Travis d'Arnaud is expecting to play Tuesday against the Braves, according to the New York Daily News. 

d'Arnaud suffered a cut on his left ring finger this past Sunday though it didn't require stitches. He went 1 for 2 in that 6-3 loss to the Red Sox. 

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco, who suffered a mild concussion Saturday, said Monday he "doesn't feel too bad" when he is not active, per MLB.com. He plans to ride the exercise bike Monday and follow all the concussion protocols.

"I would tend to rely on our medical people and what they think more so than coming to my own conclusion," manager Bryan Price said. "I'm certainly not happy. There's definitely a concern. But right now, I don't feel the sky's falling, and I haven't been given any information to suggest that there's a point of concern for long-term residual concerns."