MLB Player News

Brewers catcher Martin Maldonado was in the starting lineup Tuesday against the Reds. It was his third start and first since the Brewers placed Jonathan Lucroy on the disabled list due to a broken big toe on his left foot.

Maldonado will likely see the bulk of playing time at catcher with Lucroy sidelined. He entered play Tuesday hitless in nine at-bats.

It was anticipated that Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco (hip) would be back in the lineup Tuesday in Milwaukee, but he remains out. Mesoraco is not only dealing with the ailment, but had been away from the team on personal business.

Injuries have prevented Mesoraco from playing much this season. And when he has played he hasn't hit - he has just two hits in 21 at-bats.

The Mets wasted little time getting catcher prospect Kevin Plawecki into the starting lineup following his promotion from Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday. Plawecki started and hit seventh on Tuesday against Braves right-hander Trevor Cahill.

"He came up here to play. He will do the majority of the catching," manager Terry Collins said.

Plawecki posted a .292/.368/.435/.803 slash line in four seasons in the minors (296 games). He also had 26 home runs, 72 doubles and 177 RBI.

Plawecki is considered the 63rd-best prospect in baseball by MLB.com and Baseball America.

As expected, the Mets promoted catcher prospect Kevin Plawecki and reliever Hansel Robles from Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday. 

The Mets also added catcher Travis d'Arnaud (finger) and reliever Jerry Blevins (arm) to the 15-day disabled list, while moving Zack Wheeler (elbow) from the 15-day to 60-day disabled list.

Royals catcher Salvador Perez went 2 for 3 in Monday night's 7-1 win over the Twins. 

Perez recorded an RBI in the process, his 12th of the season. He now has an impressive slash line of .380/.385/.620 in 13 appearances. Perez also scored a run during Monday night's game.   

Reds manager Bryan Price said Monday he expects catcher Devin Mesoraco to rejoin the team Tuesday, reports Cincinnati.com. Mesoraco was away from the team for personal reasons

Price has not played since April 12 because of a left hip impingement. Price said Mesoraco cannot resume his catching duties when he returns, but is able to hit and run.

Tigers catcher James McCann is making his third straight start behind the plate Monday against the Yankees.

Alex Avila started seven of the team's first eight games at catcher, but he's been limited to pinch-hit and defensive-sub duty in recent days as the Tigers have faced three straight lefty starters. He's hit .182/.400/.318 in 22 at-bats.

McCann is starting behind the plate for the fifth time this season, all against left-handed opposing pitchers. He's 2 for 8 against lefties and 1 for 11 against righties this season.

The Tigers are favorites (-118) against the Yankees Monday.

The Mets will promote catcher Kevin Plawecki and reliever Hansel Robles from Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday, the team announced Monday. The team will also transfer Zack Wheeler (elbow) to the 60-day disabled list.

Plawecki and Robles are being called up due to injuries to Travis d'Arnaud and Jerry Blevins. D'Arnaud is expected to miss at least a month due to a metacarpal fracture of the little finger of his right hand. Blevins has a distal radius fracture of the left arm and will miss more than six weeks.

Plawecki is considered the 63rd-best prospect in baseball by MLB.com and Baseball America. He is batting .216 (8 for 37) with one triple, two doubles and six RBI in nine games for Triple-A Las Vegas. 

Robles is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA in five relief outings for Las Vegas. He has 10 strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings.

Reds center fielder Billy Hamilton is back in the lineup for Monday's game against the Brewers, while catcher Devin Mesoraco remains sidelined.

Hamilton wasn't in the lineup Sunday after suffering a groin strain the previous day, but he's ready to return to action in the team's series opener against the Brewers.

Mesoraco hasn't played since April 12 due to a left hip impingement. Manager Bryan Price said that he had to go home due to a family issue, but he's expected to be back with the team Tuesday, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Second baseman Brandon Phillips is also getting a day off from starting, with the team slotting Kris Negron into the eighth spot.

The Reds are underdogs (+104) Monday against the Brewers.

Mets catcher Travis d'Arnaud was confirmed to have a broken pinky finger Monday after being hit by a pitch in Sunday's game, the team announced. d'Arnaud will be in a splint for the next three weeks and will be re-examined then. 

If the finger is healed enough, d'Arnaud will resume baseball activities. He will be placed on the 15-day DL Tuesday and the team will call up catcher Kevin Plawecki to replace him.