MLB Player News

Braves catcher Christian Bethancourt went 3 for 4 with two doubles, one RBI and two runs scored in his team's 10-1 win over the Brewers on Wednesday.

Bethancourt isn't known for his offense, but he helped key a seven-run seventh inning that decided the outcome of the game. He had managed just nine hits on the season before coming through with the big performance on Wednesday. The catcher has hit .190/.215/.286 with five RBI in 63 at-bats.

Braves catcher A.J. Pierzynski and left fielder Todd Cunningham are getting a rest and are being held out of the lineup on Thursday against the Brewers. 

Pierzynski had been behind the plate each of the last four games, but has struggled with the bat. He's hitting .185 (5 for 27) over his last seven games. He'll cede Thursday's start to rookie Christian Bethancourt.

Cunningham has been on a tear since being called up last week. In his first five games this season, the 26-year-old rookie is 9 for 19 with a pair of doubles. Nevertheless, he'll sit on Thursday with Jonny Gomes making the start in left while batting fifth.

The Brewers held catcher Juan Centeno out of Thursday's game at Atlanta and will start Martin Maldonado instead, the team announced.

"He's caught a lot more than he's used to but I don't think he's wearing down," manager Craig Counsell said, per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "He's had some bad luck, almost on a nightly basis but he hasn't swung the bat the way he's capable of."

Maldonado was also held out of Sunday's game in order to rest. He is hitting .149 in 94 at-bats this season, while Centeno is batting .077 in 13 at-bats. Centeno will bat seventh and face Julio Teheran, who he has never faced.

The Brewers are the underdogs (+120) at Atlanta on Thursday

Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz is being held out of the starting lineup for Thursday's afternoon game against Rockies. Ruiz has started each of the last three games, but will take a rest with a day game following a night game.

Cameron Rupp will get the start behind the plate for manager Ryne Sandberg on Thursday

With Mets starting catcher Travis d'Arnaud getting closer to returning from the disabled list, the Mets' front office is going to have a decision to make about fellow young backstop Kevin Plawecki. 

Plawecki has been receiving the bulk of the playing time behind the plate since d'Arnaud was placed on the disabled list after suffering a broken finger on April 19. He's performed admirably in his first stint as a Major League catcher. He's batting just .217 with two homers so far, but his work on defense and with the Mets' pitching staff has gotten the attention of his skipper, according to the New York Post.

“He’s done great, he has played very well,” manager Terry Collins said before Wednesday night’s game. “He’s caught the ball very well, he’s blocked the ball very well, he’s actually thrown better. He threw out (speedy Marlins second baseman) Dee Gordon, and that’s a big assignment for anybody."

But with d'Arnaud nearing a rehab assignment, a decision is going to have to be made whether or not to send Plawecki back down to Triple-A when the time comes.

“That is going to be a tough call,” Collins said. “When Travis comes back, you are looking at two guys who both should be playing. That’s hard to do when both have to be out there.”

Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli left Tuesday's game against Minnesota after taking a foul ball off the mask, per the Post Gazette. 

Cervelli was replaced by Chris Stewart behind the plate to start the sixth inning.

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco was able to do catching drills before Tuesday's game. Mesoraco suffered a left hip impingement in early April and hasn't played catcher since. 

Mesoraco said he was able to get into a catcher's squat about 15 times, per MLB.com. He also simulated throwing to second base, at 20 percent effort, about 15 times. 

At least I know I can get into squat position, which I hadn't done for 30-something days," Mesoraco said. "It's good. Definitely baby steps. We're not going to go crazy because those muscles haven't been used. It's going to be a slow process."

Mesoraco hopes to catch a bullpen session this weekend. 

The Mets aren't considering a trade until they get their injured starters back. Third baseman David Wright (back) and catcher Travis d'Arnaud (hand) are both on the disabled list. 

"Right now we’re not looking outside," GM Sandy Alderson said, per the New York Post. "We’re looking inside to get some of our players back and see where we are at that point."

Mets catcher Travis d'Arnaud took dry swings on Tuesday, as he continues recovery from the hand injury that landed him on the disabled list. 

Mets general manger Sandy Alderson said that d'Arnaud should be back later this month."I think a week is way too aggressive," he said, per NJ.com.

Devin Mesoraco is in the Reds' starting lineup on Tuesday against the Royals. As expected, with the team in an American League ballpark, Mesoraco will have the chance to be the designated hitter. 

Mesoraco is batting eighth in the order for manager Bryan Price. He has been limited to pinch-hit and DH duties for most of the season due to a hip impingement. He has just six hits in 39 at-bats this season. 

Price said that Mesoraco will do some catching activities on Tuesday, as he hopes to have him back behind the plate in the near future.