MLB Player News

Pentecost caught his first game since 2014 on Tuesday and is hitting .258/.303/.387 with one home run and a 6:2 K:BB in 31 at-bats with High-A Dunedin.

Pentecost's dynasty-league value is tied to him sticking behind the plate, as the bat is unlikely to profile anywhere else, so this is encouraging news. He won't catch every time he starts going forward, but he is slowly being worked back in. At 24, he is way behind in his development due to shoulder injuries, and is simply a player to watch in most formats until he reaches the upper levels and reestablishes himself as an everyday catcher.

Gomes is out of Thursday's lineup against the Twins.

He is hitting .121 on the season and will sit for a second straight game in a day game following Wednesday's rainout. Roberto Perez will start behind the dish and hit ninth.

Perez went 2-for-3 with an RBI and one walk in Wednesday's 2-0 win over Madison Bumgarner and the Giants.

The catcher's fourth multi-hit effort of the year boosted his average to .302. Through 14 games, Perez's 16 hits are second-best on the club, and his five homers are tied for the team lead. Barring injury, Perez should be among the best at his position in 2017.

Mesoraco (shoulder, hip) made it through back-to-back starts behind the plate Monday and Tuesday without any health setbacks, the Dayton Daily News reports. He's gone 4-for-28 at the plate, however, during his rehab assignment.

The Reds suggested Mesoraco could be activated as soon as Thursday, but that doesn't necessarily seem like a done deal. "He came out of it just fine," manager Bryan Price said. "This is that point in time where we reassess what he needs for any finishing touches or polish before he's activated."

D'Arnaud, who exited Wednesday's game against the Phillies early, has been diagnosed with a right wrist contusion, Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports.

He hit his hand on a bat while making a throw from behind home plate. How much time the catcher will be forced to miss depends on the severity of his bruise and how quickly it's able to heal, although his track record doesn't suggest he's a quick healer. A more clear timetable for d'Arnaud's return should become available in the coming days.

D'Arnaud exited Wednesday's game against the Phillies early after hitting his hand on a bat while making a throw from behind the plate, James Wagner of The New York Times reports.

It's currently unclear as to how severe d'Arnaud's hand injury is. It's possible that the Mets are just playing it safe with their oft-injured catcher. He'll be considered day-to-day until the team releases additional information regarding his early departure.

Perez was optioned Wednesday to Triple-A Salt Lake, MLB.com's Maria I. Guardado reports.

Perez was off to a 1-for-13 start with four strikeouts at the plate and committed two errors behind the dish. The Angels most likely want to see more production out of their backup catcher, and called up Juan Graterol to fill that role.

Sanchez (biceps) threw for the first time Wednesday, Newsday's Erik Boland reports.

In the photo that Boland tweeted, Sanchez looked to be playing catch from roughly 60 feet before the game -- the first time he has thrown in his recovery. Sanchez tweeted Wednesday that his rehab is going well and he hopes to be swinging soon. Manager Joe Girardi said Sanchez has been catching five or six-inning "games" from a pitching machine. It is unclear exactly when he will be able to go on a rehab assignment, but he appears to be progressing well.

Maldonado reached base three times Tuesday, going 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in a 5-2 win over Houston.

The Angels' catcher position looked like it was heading for a timeshare between Maldonado and Carlos Perez when both catchers were struggling during spring training. Things have changed since then, with the former getting off to a hot start (.294/.385/.324) and seizing the starting job. Maldonado is still providing nothing in the counting stat categories, but an empty batting average may be good enough for owners to roster in two-catcher formats.

Sanchez (biceps) has begun swinging a bat with his left hand and is set to begin throwing Wednesday, Sweeny Murti of Sportsradio 66 WFAN reports.

Sanchez is slowly working his way back from a Grade 1 bicep strain, but he says that he's been feeling good. His ability to resume throwing Wednesday is a positive sign but it's difficult to say exactly when the slugging catcher will be ready to return to the lineup. More information should become available as he progresses through his rehab program.