MLB Player News

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco (oblique) took 50 swings Tuesday after taking 30 swings with a bat Monday, per MLB.com.

"Thirty off the tee and 20 from soft toss," said Mesoraco, who strained his oblique on March 19. "I want to say I was swinging around 75 percent of what I normally do. It’s probably better than the 120 percent I usually swing. Everything felt good. I think it was a good step. I want to say there’s still a little bit of tiredness or weakness in that area but it’s not as isolated as what it was and it’s definitely not a pulling or pain thing. We’ve been working it pretty hard so it’s a little worn out."

Mesoraco still is unsure if he will be ready for the start of the season.

"We’re getting down to it here and we’re pretty close. We’ll see," Mesoraco said. "It’s going to be close either way. It’s getting better. That’s all I’m concerned with right now. It’s a lot of steps in the right direction."

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco (oblique) took 30 swings Monday and said he felt good, per the Cincinnati Enquirer. He is expected to increase intensity Tuesday.

Orioles catcher Johnny Monell was designated for assignment Monday to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Stephen Lombardozzi, who was acquired in a trade from Detroit. Monell has played just eight games in the majors, batting .125 (1 for 8) with one RBI and three strikeouts.

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco has been undergoing therapy, but has not been allowed to swing a bat, MLB.com reports Sunday.

Mesoraco has been sidelined since March 17 with an oblique injury. He hit .276/.290/.345 in 29 spring at-bats. His status remains uncertain for opening day.

"It's definitely getting close," Mesoraco said. "With this being maybe the first opening day I would play, I definitely want to be ready. I think right now I'm just focused on getting better and trying to improve that oblique every day."

The Padres re-assigned catcher Austin Hedges to minor-league camp on Sunday. He batted .278/.333/.278 with six RBI in 18 at-bats this spring.

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco is dealing with an oblique injury, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The team will know more about the severity of the injury after Mesoraco rests for a few days. He has hit .276/.290/.345 in 29 spring at-bats.

The Braves have optioned right-handers Juan Jaime and Luis Vasquez, catcher Christian Bethancourt and center fielder Todd Cunningham to Triple-A and shortstop Elmer Reyes to Double-A. None of the moves are considered a surprise.

The Orioles have optioned catcher Johnny Monell to minor league camp, leaving Steve Clevenger as the lone backup to starter Matt Wieters at that position.

Monell performed well enough at the plate this spring, batting .278 with one home run and six RBI in 18 at-bats. But he was outhit by Clevenger, who boasts the same power numbers with a .545 batting average that tops the Orioles among players with more than three plate appearances.

Pirates backup catcher Chris Stewart underwent minor surgery on his knee Wednesday, a source told SB Nation. He is expected to miss 4-6 weeks.

Indians catcher Yan Gomes turned in his best performance of the spring Tuesday, going 3 for 4 with two home runs, three runs and three RBI in his game against the Giants.

Gomes was just 7 for 30 with three runs and three RBI before smacking his first two home runs of the spring and doubling his RBI and run totals. He's set to take over as the team's regular catcher this season.