MLB Player News

With Mets starting catcher Travis d'Arnaud getting closer to returning from the disabled list, the Mets' front office is going to have a decision to make about fellow young backstop Kevin Plawecki. 

Plawecki has been receiving the bulk of the playing time behind the plate since d'Arnaud was placed on the disabled list after suffering a broken finger on April 19. He's performed admirably in his first stint as a Major League catcher. He's batting just .217 with two homers so far, but his work on defense and with the Mets' pitching staff has gotten the attention of his skipper, according to the New York Post.

“He’s done great, he has played very well,” manager Terry Collins said before Wednesday night’s game. “He’s caught the ball very well, he’s blocked the ball very well, he’s actually thrown better. He threw out (speedy Marlins second baseman) Dee Gordon, and that’s a big assignment for anybody."

But with d'Arnaud nearing a rehab assignment, a decision is going to have to be made whether or not to send Plawecki back down to Triple-A when the time comes.

“That is going to be a tough call,” Collins said. “When Travis comes back, you are looking at two guys who both should be playing. That’s hard to do when both have to be out there.”

Indians catcher Roberto Perez is being held out of the starting lineup on Wednesday against the White Sox. Perez had started four straight for manger Terry Francona, as he continues to struggle offensively. Perez is just 4 for his last 23 with zero RBI over that span.

Brett Hayes will draw the start behind the plate and bat eighth on Wednesday. 

Despite is recent hot hitting, Angels catcher Chris Iannetta finds himself on the bench for Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays. After getting off to a dreadful start, Iannetta has started to turn things around, as he is currently riding a modest four-game hitting streak. He is 8 for 15 with a home run and five RBI in that four-game span.

Nevertheless, Carlos Perez will draw the start behind the plate, spelling Iannetta. 

Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli left Tuesday's game against Minnesota after taking a foul ball off the mask, per the Post Gazette. 

Cervelli was replaced by Chris Stewart behind the plate to start the sixth inning.

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco was able to do catching drills before Tuesday's game. Mesoraco suffered a left hip impingement in early April and hasn't played catcher since. 

Mesoraco said he was able to get into a catcher's squat about 15 times, per MLB.com. He also simulated throwing to second base, at 20 percent effort, about 15 times. 

At least I know I can get into squat position, which I hadn't done for 30-something days," Mesoraco said. "It's good. Definitely baby steps. We're not going to go crazy because those muscles haven't been used. It's going to be a slow process."

Mesoraco hopes to catch a bullpen session this weekend. 

The Mets aren't considering a trade until they get their injured starters back. Third baseman David Wright (back) and catcher Travis d'Arnaud (hand) are both on the disabled list. 

"Right now we’re not looking outside," GM Sandy Alderson said, per the New York Post. "We’re looking inside to get some of our players back and see where we are at that point."

Mets catcher Travis d'Arnaud took dry swings on Tuesday, as he continues recovery from the hand injury that landed him on the disabled list. 

Mets general manger Sandy Alderson said that d'Arnaud should be back later this month."I think a week is way too aggressive," he said, per NJ.com.

Indians manager Terry Francona said catcher Yan Gomes is close to returning to the team, but he needs to catch nine innings in a rehab game before being activated, reports the Northeast Ohio Media Group.

"Well, he's closing in on it," manager Terry Francona said to MLB.com. "I think that's stating the obvious, but in fairness to him, we probably need to get him out there nine [innings]. He probably doesn't feel like he needs to, but as bad as we'd like to have him -- and we do -- doing something a day or two early, that would be a bad mistake."

Gomes is on the disabled list with a sprain in his right MCL. He is scheduled to catch seven innings in a rehab game Wednesday.

"I think when you really boil it down, we need to make sure that this kid has every chance to be not just healthy with his knee … you don't want another part of his body breaking down squatting for nine innings," Francona said. "There's some common sense that [trainer] James [Quinlan] used that I wasn't seeing."

Devin Mesoraco is in the Reds' starting lineup on Tuesday against the Royals. As expected, with the team in an American League ballpark, Mesoraco will have the chance to be the designated hitter. 

Mesoraco is batting eighth in the order for manager Bryan Price. He has been limited to pinch-hit and DH duties for most of the season due to a hip impingement. He has just six hits in 39 at-bats this season. 

Price said that Mesoraco will do some catching activities on Tuesday, as he hopes to have him back behind the plate in the near future. 

Mets catcher Anthony Recker will get the start behind the plate on Tuesday against the Cardinals. With Kevin Plawecki catching all 14 innings on Monday, manager Terry Collins decided to rest the youngster in favor of Recker. 

Recker has struggled offensively in limited time, collecting five hits, including two home runs in 27 at-bats. Plawecki should return to the lineup on Wednesday.