MLB Player News

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco missed Tuesday's game with a cramp in his left quadriceps suffered in a game over the weekend, but is hoping to play Wednesday, reports MLB.com.

"I'm optimistically thinking that he'll be ready to play tomorrow," manager Bryan Price said Tuesday morning. "[What I don't want to do with injured players] is to put them in there and find out they can't go, or shouldn't go."

Mesoraco is hitting .214 with two home runs and four RBI in 11 spring training games.

Mets catcher Travis d'Arnaud singled twice Tuesday against the Nationals, recording just his second multihit game in 16 appearances this spring. d'Arnaud is batting .239 with no home runs and five RBI, but manager Terry Collins isn't too concerned about his spring numbers.

"You can't get caught up in spring training," Collins said, per NJ.com. "Just as I'm not too caught up in the guys that are hitting .450."

Braves catcher Christian Bethancourt will be sidelined for one-to-two days after he had two wisdom teeth pulled Tuesday morning, per the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He is hitting .306/.297/.556 with one home run and seven RBI over 36 spring at-bats.

The Blue Jays announced Tuesday catcher Josh Thole was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo. Thole's demotion means Russell Martin will be knuckleballer R.A. Dickey's personal catcher, per MLB.com.

Thole's demotion also means Dioner Navarro, who has asked for a trade, will be the backup catcher and get some at-bats at DH.

Red Sox manager John Farrell indicated Monday with the acquisition of Sandy Leon from the Nationals, prospect Blake Swihart will start the season in Triple-A, per ESPN. Leon has the inside track for the backup catcher job behind Ryan Hanigan.

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco said Monday he was held out of the spring lineup because his hamstring was a little sore, per the Cincinnati Enquirer. Although, Mesoraco said he would have played if it were the regular season.

"I think it's going to fine," he said.

Mesoraco left Sunday's spring game with a cramp in his left quad.

The Red Sox traded for Nationals catcher Sandy Leon on Monday. The Nationals received cash considerations in exchange for Leon.

To clear a spot on the 40-man roster, the Red Sox placed catcher Christian Vazquez (elbow) on the 60-day disabled list.

The 26-year-old Leon has appeared in just 34 games at the major-league level. He has a .236/.324/.329/.653 slash line over eight seasons in the minors.

The Tigers announced Monday catcher Bryan Holaday was optioned to Triple-A Toledo. His demotion means James McCann will start the season as the primary backup to starting catcher Alex Avila, per MLB.com.

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco was removed from Sunday's game due to a cramp in his left quad, the team announced.

Mesoraco came up lame while rounding third base. He finished the game 0 for 2 at the plate and is just 6 for 28 with two home runs this spring.

The Red Sox will give catching prospect Blake Swihart an extended look over the final week of spring training to determine whether to give him a spot on the Opening Day roster, CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reports.

Christian Vazquez was projected to be the team's starting catcher coming into spring training but is dealing with an elbow injury that may require Tommy John surgery. Despite the need at the catcher position, the Red Sox have not yet called the Blue Jays to inquire about No. 2 catcher Dioner Navarro, who has asked to be traded and is carrying a $5-million salary for 2015.