MLB Player News

Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal has showed some life in recent days, as he drove in a row run for the third straight game against the Cubs Friday.

Grandal, who had just one hit in his previous nine games, went just 1 for 4 this time around. Fortunately, he made that one hit count, clubbing his first home run in more than two months, a solo shot in the second inning. He added an RBI groundout in the seventh to finish with two RBI in the 11-1 win.

Grandal is still hitting just .139 in the month of May, though three of his six hits have been home runs. He has five home runs and 15 RBI in 37 games, while hitting just .206/.287/.412 in 102 at-bats. 

After being cleared to take part in baseball activities, Mets catcher Travis d'Arnaud began working his way back from a concussion Friday.

D'Arnaud was able to take batting practice Friday, and is set to catch a bullpen session before seeking clearance to return to game action. He could be cleared Saturday, but will likely go on a two-game minor-league rehab assignment, according to ESPN.com. 

Mets catcher Travis d'Arnaud (concussion) was cleared for baseball activities Thursday. d'Arnaud passed a concussion test Wednesday.

Mets catcher Travis d'Arnaud was able to pass a concussion test Wednesday, according to Newsday.

The team will examine d'Arnaud Thursday to check his progress. The catcher last played May 13 due to concussion issues. Over 102 at-bats, d'Arnaud is hitting .196.

Mets catcher Travis d'Arnaud remains without a timeline for returning from the 7-day disabled list, as he continues to deal with concussion symptoms.

"He's still feeling the effects of the initial impact, so at this point, I don't have a real good prognosis on when he will be back," general manager Sandy Alderson told MLB.com Tuesday. "At this point, as he exercises, he still experiences some symptoms. As a result, we're still in the recovery period."

Once D'Arnaud's symptoms are gone, he still has to pass a series of tests to be cleared. He has been out a week now after being hit on the head by a bat while catching. 

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson told reporters Tuesday catcher Travis d'Arnaud continues to experience concussion symptoms when exercising.

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco hit cleanup for the first time in his career in Monday's series opener with the Nationals. However, a day after collecting four hits in a game, the hot-swinging catcher took a step back at the No. 4 spot and finished 0 for 6 with a walk in a 4-3 win in 15 innings.

Still, Mesoraco's batting average dropped from .500 to .450 following Monday's game. He has six hits in his last 16 at-bats.

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco totaled a season-best four hits, including two doubles, and one RBI during an 8-3 loss Sunday at Philadelphia. He now has eight doubles in 15 games.

Mesoraco is 5 for 7 (.714) with one home run, two doubles and four RBI in two games since coming off the disabled list. He also has one walk.

The Reds optioned catcher Tucker Barnhart to Triple-A Louisville Sunday to clear a roster spot for starting pitcher Tony Cingrani, who was activated off the 15-day disabled list. Barnhart hit .107 (3 for 28) with one home run and one RBI in 10 games for the Reds.

Mets catcher Travis d'Arnaud was close to being benched before suffering his concussion, according to SNY.tv. 

The 25-year-old got off to a slow start, hitting just .196 over his first 102 at-bats. He's considered to be the future of the franchise at the position, so it's surprising the team would want to go away from him after a month and a half. Over the course of his minor-league career, d'Arnaud emerged as a strong prospect. He made the Baseball America top-100 list five times. He's currently on the seven-day disabled list due to a concussion. It's unclear if d'Arnaud will receive regular playing time once he's ready to return.