MLB Player News

Mesoraco is scheduled to take his first live batting practice of this spring training Friday and is aiming to enter live action over the next week, Zach Buchanan of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Cincinnati is bringing the backstop along slowly as he recovers from hip and shoulder issues. The Reds don't intent to push Mesoraco early on in the season but want him to seize the full-time job as the campaign wears on. Fantasy players in two-catcher mixed leagues could take a guarded chance late in drafts on his power coming through.

Deglan will not participate in the World Baseball Classic due to shoulder surgery, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

The native Canadian recently latched on with the Yankees on a minor league deal at the end of January. Due to his recent flare-up of shoulder soreness, he won't be able to participate in the WBC, leaving Canada with George Kottaras as the only catcher currently on the roster. Given the Yankees' depth at catcher on the active roster, Deglan will likely begin the year in the minors.

Barnhart is going to play often early in the 2017 season, but he's expected to return to backup duties if Devin Mesoraco proves he can handle a starter's workload, Zach Buchanan of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Barnhart is probably the safer selection to start the campaign, though a healthy, active Mesoraco has much more upside, especially with home runs. Of course, the latter holds plenty of risk. If fantasy players in two-catcher leagues can handcuff this situation, that could save a lot of headaches, though that plan doesn't always lead to a comfortable roster.

Mesoraco is viewed by Reds manager Bryan Price as the eventual everyday catcher, Zach Buchanan of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Mesoraco obviously has some hurdles to clear to prove he can handle a busy workload, considering his recent health woes. Tucker Barnhart will push for at least a split share of the backstop work. Mesoraco, however, holds plenty of upside -- especially with home runs -- if he can play at least half a season. Barnhart may be the safer fantasy pick, merely because there are fewer concerns over his durability.

Casali went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run and two runs overall in Tuesday's 19-0 Grapefruit League victory over the Twins.

The Rays' backstop opened what would be a 19-run barrage by blasting a two-run homer to left with Rickie Weeks, Jr. aboard in the first. Casali is battling Luke Maile and non-roster invitee Jesus Sucre for a backup catcher spot, and given that prized offseason signing Wilson Ramos isn't expected back from knee surgery until at least May and may be limited to designated hitter duties for some time thereafter, he would appear to have a solid chance of securing a spot on the Opening Day roster. The 28-year-old's unsightly .186/.273/.336 line last season belied some solid pop in his bat, as Casali collected 18 extra-base hits, including 10 round-trippers, over 256 plate appearances.

D'Arnaud went 1-for-3 with a solo home run off Marlins closer A.J. Ramos in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game.

His offseason work to simplify and improve his swing has paid quick dividends to begin the spring, and d'Arnaud is now hitting .500 (4-for-8) through the Mets' first few Grapefruit League games. He remains little more than a lottery ticket in shallower fantasy formats, but the 28-year-old catcher still has time to get his career back on track if he can just stay off the DL.

Sanchez (foot) entered Monday's game off the bench and went 0-for-2 in a spring training loss to the Angels.

Sanchez fouled a ball off his foot a couple of days ago, but it wasn't considered serious and he needed just a couple of days to heal. He is currently on the Padres as a non-roster invitee, and he has a good shot at winning the backup catcher spot if he can produce at the plate this spring.

Contreras hit his first spring training home run in Monday's 4-4 tie against the White Sox.

Contreras went deep in the fourth inning off of Anthony Swarzak. The 24-year-old only recorded 252 at-bats in 76 games with the Cubs last season, but he still managed to hit 12 home runs. While it remains to be seen how Contreras adjusts to being a full-season MLB catcher, the potential is certainly there for 20 or more home runs, which makes him a great option at a thin position.

The Reds are not planning to play Mesoraco in spring training games in the immediate future. "Until we're getting closer with workload, I'd hate to try and target a date because then it's disappointing if we don't reach it by playing by a certain date," manager Bryan Price said. "He's certainly getting closer."

The Reds are treating Mesoraco with supreme caution, which doesn't hurt because spring training is extended this year due to the WBC.

Maile went 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI singles in Sunday's 7-3 Grapefruit League win over the Red Sox.

Both of Maile's run-scoring hits, which came in the fourth and eighth innings, were of the two-out variety. The 26-year-old is locked in a battle with Curt Casali and non-roster invitee Jesus Sucre, who's impressed thus far both at the plate and behind it, for a roster spot. He slashed .227/.252/.361 over 126 plate appearances last season, which represented an improvement over his initial 15-game major league stint in 2015. Maile doesn't offer much in the way of power but does flash above-average speed for a catcher, as evidenced by 11 triples and 13 stolen bases in 18 attempts at the minor league level.