MLB Player News

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco, serving as a designated hitter, brought his team back from the dead Thursday night in Baltimore.

Mesoraco hit a sacrifice fly in the third, homer in the sixth and two-run double in the seventh to key a comeback from a 7-2 deficit in an eventual Cincinnati loss. He finished the night with four RBI and his first four-hit game since May 18. He sweetened his stat line to .286/.365/.542. His slugging percentage would rank sixth in major league baseball if he had enough at-bats to qualify.

Braves catching prospect Christian Bethancourt has been recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday. He owns a .283/.308/.408 slash line with eight homers and 48 RBI over 343 at-bats at Triple-A.

The Phillies announced their September callups on Monday.

Before announcing the moves, Philadelphia transferred pitcher Cliff Lee to the 60-day DL to create room on the 40-man roster. The team recalled infielder Cesar Hernandez, catcher Cameron Rupp and right-handed pitchers Luis Garcia and Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Additionally, the team purchased the contracts of infielder Maikel Franco and outfielder Tony Gwynn Jr.. Right-hander Mike Adams was also activated off the disabled list.

The Nationals announced their September callups on Monday. Before making any moves, the team activated Steven Souza from the 15-day disabled list. Washington called up the following players: Sandy Leon, Blake Treinen, Xavier Cedeno, Tyler Moore and Aaron Barrett.

The Giants transferred catcher Hector Sanchez to the 60-day disabled list on Sunday. Sanchez has been working his way back from concussion-related issues, and is not expected to be re-evaluated until mid-September, leaving his status for the rest of the season in jeopardy.

The Mets have had preliminary conversations with catcher Travis d'Arnaud about possibly changing positions to keep him healthy, the New York Daily News reports Friday.

"We've talked about it,” manager Terry Collins said. "We’ve brought it up. Obviously, with what he's started to do offensively, we've got to see if these concussions are leading to anything. Is he changing his position (defensively), where he is positioning himself behind the hitter, to get less foul tips?"

d'Arnaud has had four reported concussions in his career, an issue that is only exacerbated by playing behind the plate. Despite that, Collins does not think it is likely to happen at this point.

d'Arnaud has made himself an indispensable part of the club's long-term plans with his play this season. Since returning from his latest concussion in June, he is hitting .265/.308/.486 over his last 50 games. 

The Mets have considered moving catcher Travis d'Arnaud to the outfield, according to the New York Daily News. 

Manager Terry Collins confirmed that the team has discussed moving d'Arnaud."We’ve talked about it," Collins said. "We’ve brought it up. Obviously, with what he’s started to do offensively, we’ve got to see if these concussions are leading to anything." By moving d'Arnaud to the outfield, the team is hoping to keep his bat in the lineup while making sure he stays healthy. a'Arnaud has already suffered four concussions in his career. 

Giants catcher Hector Sanchez said Wednesday that he'll be re-evaluated by a doctor in three weeks, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Sanchez will join the team for home games and continue exercising as he continues to recover from multiple concussions. With a re-evaluation unlikely until mid-September, it's becoming less and less likely he'll be back before the end of the regular season.

Giants catcher Hector Sanchez will be re-evaluated Tuesday, according to MLB.com.

Sanchez has been sidelined since July 25 due to a concussion. He was able to start up a rehab assignment, but suffered a second concussion during the stint. The club will have a better idea of Sanchez's timetable once he is evaluated Tuesday. 

Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal hit a three-run homer and provided plenty of support for his team in a 7-4 win over the Diamondbacks on Sunday.

Grandal hit a sacrifice fly in the opening frame and took Chase Anderson deep for a three-run blast in the fifth. He finished 1 for 3 with a walk, a run scored and four RBI. He owns a .204/.302/.376 slash line with 11 homers and 32 RBI over 274 at-bats.