MLB Player News

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco is not in the team's opening day lineup Monday, according to the Cincinnati Reds.

Mesoraco has been dealing with an oblique injury, but was able to take swings earlier in the week. He was limited to 29 spring at-bats due to the injury. Brayan Pena will start in his place and hit eighth.

Diamondbacks catcher Tuffy Gosewisch beat out veteran Henry Blanco for the team's backup catching duties, MLB.com reports.

Gosewisch slashed .316/.316/.579 with one home run and four RBI in 19 Cactus League at-bats. Blanco will use the next 24 hours to search for a big-league job. If he's unable to find a team to play for, he'll likely become Arizona's seventh coach.

The Nationals announced Wednesday that infielder Jeff Kobernus has been optioned to Triple-A and catcher Sandy Leon has been optioned to Double-A Harrisburg.

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco is unlikely to play in a game Thursday, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Mesoraco has been dealing with an oblique injury, but has been able to take swings the past two days. His opening day status is already in question. Mesoraco hit .238/.287/.362 in 323 at-bats last year.

Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal was behind the plate for nine innings in a minor-league game Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

Grandal is working his way back from season-ending knee surgery and could end up making the team's active roster on opening day, as the ability to catch a full nine innings is a big hurdle to overcome.

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco (oblique) took 50 swings Tuesday after taking 30 swings with a bat Monday, per MLB.com.

"Thirty off the tee and 20 from soft toss," said Mesoraco, who strained his oblique on March 19. "I want to say I was swinging around 75 percent of what I normally do. It’s probably better than the 120 percent I usually swing. Everything felt good. I think it was a good step. I want to say there’s still a little bit of tiredness or weakness in that area but it’s not as isolated as what it was and it’s definitely not a pulling or pain thing. We’ve been working it pretty hard so it’s a little worn out."

Mesoraco still is unsure if he will be ready for the start of the season.

"We’re getting down to it here and we’re pretty close. We’ll see," Mesoraco said. "It’s going to be close either way. It’s getting better. That’s all I’m concerned with right now. It’s a lot of steps in the right direction."

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco (oblique) took 30 swings Monday and said he felt good, per the Cincinnati Enquirer. He is expected to increase intensity Tuesday.

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco has been undergoing therapy, but has not been allowed to swing a bat, MLB.com reports Sunday.

Mesoraco has been sidelined since March 17 with an oblique injury. He hit .276/.290/.345 in 29 spring at-bats. His status remains uncertain for opening day.

"It's definitely getting close," Mesoraco said. "With this being maybe the first opening day I would play, I definitely want to be ready. I think right now I'm just focused on getting better and trying to improve that oblique every day."

The Padres re-assigned catcher Austin Hedges to minor-league camp on Sunday. He batted .278/.333/.278 with six RBI in 18 at-bats this spring.

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco is dealing with an oblique injury, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The team will know more about the severity of the injury after Mesoraco rests for a few days. He has hit .276/.290/.345 in 29 spring at-bats.