MLB Player News

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco has the pedigree as one of the top prospects in the minors over the last few years, but he has been unable to translate that to the major-league level so far. He was on the bench for the fourth game in a row Friday, as he continues to struggle to find playing time.

Reds manager Dusty Baker told MLB.com that Mesoraco will start Saturday, but the team does not have a set plan for getting him consistent playing time right now. Baker did say he will likely begin to split time a bit more evenly between he and Ryan Hanigan as the season progresses.

"We needed Hanigan, who throws out [48.5] percent of baserunners to negate the speed of the Angels," Baker said. "As we get deeper along, I might feel the need to mix and match. [Hanigan] shouldn't be tired early. When the weather gets hot and as he gets tired, I might mix and match."

Brewers catcher Martin Maldonado made his first start of the season Wednesday night against the Rockies with Wily Peralta on the mound.

Manager Ron Roenicke told MLB.com that he does not know how much he will play the 26-year-old going forward behind starter Jonathan Lucroy.

"I do [have a ratio] in mind, but it changes all the time, and their production helps that decision," manager Ron Roenicke said. "If Maldy is swinging the bat like he was last year, he's going to play more than once every week or once every five days. He does such a good job, defensively, that if he's swinging the bat, he's going to be in there more."

Maldonado, who hit eight homers with 30 RBI in 233 at-bats last season, has been made no promises about playing time.

"That's fine with me," he said. "Like I always say, I come here every day expecting to play, and when it doesn't happen, you change."

The Diamondbacks reassigned catcher Tuffy Gosewisch to minor-league camp Friday. He hit .308/.438/.308 in 16 plate appearances this spring.

Gosewisch hit .216/.278/.345 with the Triple-A affiliates of the Phillies and Blue Jays in 2012.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy told the Contra Costa Times that catcher Hector Sanchez caught six innings in a minor league game Friday and appears ready for opening day.

Sanchez was shut down earlier in the spring due to a sore shoulder, but he hit a home run Friday and is not expected to have any trouble playing when the regular season begins.

Sanchez was the backup catcher for the Giants last season and will likely fill the same role this season. He batted .280 in 218 at bats, with three home runs and 34 RBI. 

Reds manager Dusty Baker refused to reveal his plans for the team's rotation at catcher this season between Ryan Hanigan and Devin Mesoraco.

"I’ll let you know," Baker said, per the Cincinnati Enquirer. "It will vary. (Ryan) Hanigan caught (Jonny) Cueto seven (innings) last night. It’s Mesoraco’s turn to catch (Wednesday). Day after night. That’s going to happen sometimes. You want to keep them both sharp. You don’t want to pair them up too much. What happens if your guy can’t hit a guy or day after night? It’s a long season. You look at that calendar with that schedule. When they fire that gun to go, there ain’t no stopping for a long time.”

Clearly, my colleague Michael Hurcomb isn't as optimistic, but I sense Dusty Baker's perception of Devin Mesoraco has changed enough that the 24-year-old former prospect could begin to realize his potential for the Reds this year.

He's had a good spring, for whatever that's worth, but more notable is Baker's acknowledgement of his good spring and recognition that he's improved since last season.

True, Mesoraco is still the backup to Ryan Hanigan to begin the year, but if he hits well enough in that role, I have a feeling the situation will sort itself out.

Then again, it's Baker we're talking about.

With the Reds offering catcher Miguel Olivo a $100,000 retention bonus to accept a minor-league assignment, the move essentially means Devin Mesoraco will make the 25-man roster, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Mesoraco is batting .361 (13 for 36) with two homers, three doubles and 11 RBI in 19 spring games.

"It’s not like he didn’t deserve it," manager Dusty Baker said of Mesoraco. "He did play well. (Monday), he had a bad game, but other than that he’s been great. You hope he’s gotten to the point -- and he says he has -- where he’s mature enough to realize it’s only a bad game and forget about it, then work on it, which he did yesterday.”

Giants manager Bruce Bochy told Comcast SportsNet Bay Area that he remains confident catcher Hector Sanchez will be ready for opening day. Sanchez, who battled a shoulder injury earlier this spring, played in a simulated game Tuesday morning and was able to make clear throws to bases without any pain. 

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco could have hit 20 homers this spring and I don't think it would have made much of a difference in terms of his playing-time projection in 2013. We all know Mesoraco has a world of potential and is considered the future behind the plate for the Reds. But "future" is the key word.

While Mesoraco's spring surge might land him a spot on the 25-man roster, Ryan Hanigan's presence will prevent Mesoraco from being an everyday catcher, so don't move Mesoraco up Fantasy draft boards.

Reds manager Dusty Baker is a huge fan of Hanigan's because of Hanigan's defensive presence. The Reds are built to contend, so Hanigan's handling of the team's pitching staff is going to play a huge part in how Baker splits up the playing time behind the plate. It would be beneficial for the Reds to keep Mesoraco on the roster and have him continue to acclimate playing at the major-league level, but the catcher position isn't all about offensive production and Baker knows that. Mesoraco is still best left for deeper NL-only and Rotisserie formats that start two catchers.

Despite going 0 for 4 Monday, Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco is batting .361 this spring with two homers and 11 RBI. He has also slugged a solid .611 through 19 Cactus League games.

Mesoraco is competing with non-roster invite Miguel Olivo for the backup job to Ryan Hanigan.

"I feel like I came in with a good plan and came in prepared," Mesoraco told MLB.com. "I knew it was going to be a little bit different thing than last year. I had to prove myself. I'm happy with the way I've played and with the way things have turned out."