MLB Player News

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco was back in the team's starting lineup Friday night against the Dodgers after missing Thursday due to a hamstring strain. Mesoraco is batting .245 in 286 at-bats. He's hitting eighth in the lineup.

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco is not in the team's starting lineup Thursday due to a hamstring strain, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. 

Despite being out of the lineup, Mesoraco is available off the bench. He's hitting .245 in 286 at-bats. 

The Giants designated Kensuke Tanaka and Dan Runzler for assignment Tuesday in order to make room for Heath Hembree and Johnny Monell on the 40-man roster, according to the Mercury News. 

The Diamondbacks have called up catcher Tuffy Gosewisch and third baseman Matt Davidson from Triple-A Reno prior to Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays, MLB.com reports.

Gosewisch batted .284/.327/.456 with seven homers and 33 RBI in 250 at-bats in the minors. Davidson batted .280/.350/.481 with 17 homers and 74 RBI in 443 at-bats in the minors.

The San Francisco Giants announced Monday they will be recalling eight players from the minors on Tuesday prior to a game at San Diego, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The following players will be brought up from various levels of the minors: Infielders Nick Noonan and Ehire Adrianza; outfielders Francisco Peguero and Juan Perez; relievers George Kontos, Jake Dunning and Heath Hembree; and catcher Johnny Monell.

The Phillies announced Monday they recalled infielder Freddy Galvis, pitcher Tyler Cloyd, pitcher Luis Garcia, pitcher Mauricio Robles and pitcher Joe Savery from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. They also selected the contract of catcher Cameron Rupp.

The Nationals have recalled catcher Sandy Leon from Double-A Harrisburg, MLB.com reports. Leon owns a .177/.291/.252 line in 310 at-bats for Harrisburg.

Mets catcher Travis d'Arnaud is sitting Thursday against the Phillies.

Anthony Recker will take over behind the plate with d'Arnaud out. He's hitting .107 in 28 at-bats. 

Rookie Travis d'Arnaud is the Mets' starting catcher. Has been since he got the call Aug. 17. But with John Buck still lurking on the bench, the Mets could have easily pulled the plug on d'Arnaud if he didn't produce right away.

So much for all that. The Mets traded Buck to the Pirates Tuesday, making Anthony Recker their only recourse at catcher. In other words, d'Arnaud is here to stay.

He hasn't done much with the bat yet, but six walks to six strikeouts in 21 at-bats is pretty good for a youngster. Considering he hardly played in the minors this year because a broken foot, I'm skeptical he'll get going in time to justify a roster spot in single-catcher leagues, where typically only 10 or 12 (depending on the size of the league) catchers are owned, but his upside certainly makes him intriguing in two-catcher formats.

With Miguel Montero and Eric Chavez back for the Diamondbacks Monday, the team had to option two players to the minors. Catcher Tuffy Gosewisch and third baseman Matt Davidson were the odd men out for the club, MLB.com reports. 

Gosewisch went 5 for 27 (.185) with one RBI over eight games and six starts. Davidson was 5 for 28 (.179) over 12 games and five starts. He had two runs driven in.