MLB Player News

The Padres are set to activate catcher Yasmani Grandal Tuesday, as his 50-game performance-enhancing drug suspension has come to a close. The team plans to option John Baker to Triple-A Tucson to make room for Grandal.

Grandal appeared in nine minor-league games prior to his activation, batting .306 without a home run. He is expected to be the team's primary catcher. 

Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal 's 50-game drug suspension is nearly over, and the team expects him back in the next few days. Grandal could return as early as Tuesday in Seattle, according to U-T San Diego.

He has been playing at Triple-A Tucson, where he has a .731 on-base plus slugging percentage in nine games. 

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said during a television interview Tuesday the team will proceed with caution with catcher prospect Travis d'Arnaud because he has missed so much time the last two seasons with injuries, according to the New York Post. However, Alderson added if d'Arnaud is healthy, he will be in the majors this season.

d'Arnaud is currently recovering from a fractured right foot and Alderson hopes he's playing in games again by July 1.

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco hit his second home run of the season Tuesday, top cap off a 4-0 win over the Mets.

Mesoraco hit a solo home run in the ninth inning, to add an insurance run, after walking in a run in the first inning. Mesoraco finished the game 1 for 3 with two RBI, one run scored and one walk. He is batting .234 in 77 at-bats. 

Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal (suspension) is batting .333 (3 for 9) with one double and one RBI through his first three games with Triple-A Tucson.

Grandal's 50-game suspension for testing positive for elevated levels of testosterone ends May 28. He's not sure if the Padres will recall him immediately, but Grandal said his focus is on making sure he's getting his at-bats leading up to his potential recall.

"I've got to get my work in first," Grandal said, per MLB.com. "I'm trying to get as many at-bats as I can here and trying to get a feel for the game again at the upper levels. I think they're going to be enough for me to go up to the big leagues. Whether I go up on the 28th or not, that's all up to [San Diego general manager] Josh Byrnes, I guess. I'm just concentrating on getting at-bats down here."

In early May, Padres catcher Nick Hundley was very critical of teammate Yasmani Grandal, who is on the verge of returning from a 50-game suspension for using performance-enhancing drugs. However, manager Bud Black said during an interview with MLB Network Radio that the incident has been handled.

"Nick Hundley's quotes are in the past," Black said. "I talked to them both, then they spoke. They're all good."

Hundley is expected to share the catching duties once Grandal's suspension ends.

Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal, who is serving a 50-game suspension, began his minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Tucson Saturday.

Grandal went 2 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI. He is not scheduled to play Sunday, but will resume his rehab Monday. He is eligible to return May 28 from suspension.

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson confirmed Friday that injured catcher Travis d'Arnaud (foot) should begin playing in minor league games by the end of June, Newsday reports.

The 24-year-old remains in a walking boot after he suffered a non-displaced fracture in his left foot during a game in the middle of April with Las Vegas. The Mets will move him along slowly.

Mets catcher Travis d'Arnaud saw a specialist Friday and was not cleared to resume baseball activities as the team hoped. He has been out since April 17 when he suffered a fracture in his right foot while playing for Triple-A Las Vegas. 

He will have to stay off his fractured foot for at least two more weeks, according to the Star-Ledger. He will need to be re-examined in two weeks to determine when he will be able to begin ramping up baseball activities and begin his rehab assignment. 

Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal, who is serving a 50-game suspension, will join Triple-A Tucson Saturday to begin a 10-day rehab assignment prior to his suspension ending May 28, according to U-T San Diego. Grandal has been sidelined all season and is expected to share catcher duties with Nick Hundley once active.