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Reds Activate Devin Mesoraco

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The Reds have announced the activation of catcher Devin Mesoraco from the 10-day DL. To create room on the active roster, righty Barrett Astin was optioned back to Triple-A.

[RELATED: Updated Reds Depth Chart]

It has been exactly one year since Mesoraco last suited up at the major league level. This time last year, he was struggling to a .140/.218/.160 batting line over 55 plate appearances before suffering a shoulder injury. When he underwent surgery for a labrum tear, it marked the second consecutive year in which Mesoraco was shut down early with a significant injury after scuffing at the plate.

Mesoraco ended up not only having work done to his shoulder, but also another procedure on his hip. There’s now plenty of health uncertainty for the 28-year-old, who’ll be looking to prove again that he can handle MLB pitching both at the plate and behind it.

Of course, it wasn’t long ago that Mesoraco looked like a core piece for the franchise. In 2014, he slashed an excellent .273/.359/.534 and swatted 25 home runs in just 440 plate appearances. That led to a four-year, $28MM extension that bought up all his arbitration eligibility and also accounted for one would-be free agent season. But the deal expires after the 2018 campaign, so Mesoraco and his team will hope that he is able to regain his trajectory sooner rather than later.

Cincinnati will keep an insurance policy on hand in the even that Mesoraco struggles. Tucker Barnhart will presumably continue to see a fair bit of action as Mesoraco is eased back in. And Rule 5 selection Stuart Turner will keep his roster spot, meaning the team will carry three backstops — at least for the time being.

Follow @pfrumors (ProFootballRumors.com) For The Latest NFL Draft News

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The NFL Draft is here!  This year’s draft is the hardest one to predict in recent memory and you’ll want to stay tuned to Pro Football Rumors for every update whether you’re a casual or hardcore NFL fan.

The draft is hours away and we still don’t know who the No. 1 overall pick will be.  Most of the football world views Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett as the top overall talent in this year’s class, but Browns ownership is reportedly pushing for UNC quarterback Mitch Trubisky.  If the Browns bypass the best player available in favor of the best quarterback available, it will trigger a ripple effect that will turn the rest of the first round upside down.

The uncertainty doesn’t stop there. The 49ers could break with tradition and select running back Leonard Fournette at No. 2.  The Bears, at No. 3, are eager to trade down.  The Jaguars, picking at No. 4 overall, are reportedly considering Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson, a player previously projected as a late first round or early second round type.  With so many question marks early on, the entire draft is in flux and things could get insane.  We mean that in a good way.

To stay plugged in with up-to-the-minute updates, follow Pro Football Rumors on Twitter: @pfrumors.  You can also bookmark ProFootballRumors.com and follow us on Instagram.

Noah Syndergaard Scratched With Biceps Discomfort

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The Mets have scratched star righty Noah Syndergaard from his scheduled start today, manager Terry Collins told reporters including MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo (Twitter links) and SNY’s Steve Gelbs (via Twitter). Syndergaard is dealing with discomfort in his right biceps, likely caused by tendinitis, leading to what Collins phrased a “tired arm.”

At this time, it’s not known whether this is more than a single-start blip, or whether there’s cause for greater concern. The Mets will surely take a cautious route regardless; as Collins put it, “we can’t take a chance on this guy.”

Matt Harvey will take the ball in Syndergaard’s place. This is the second time that Harvey has been moved up to cover for an injury. Fortunately, the last time, Jacob deGrom needed only a bit of extra rest. Harvey, deGrom, and Syndergaard have been excellent even as the club has staggered to an 8-12 record to open the year. Clearly, the Mets can scarcely afford to lose any of the three; though it’s plenty early, the club is already 6.5 games back of the Nationals in the NL East.

It’s certainly possible that Syndergaard could follow deGrom in making a swift return. Indeed, Syndergaard could be cleared to throw by this weekend, which seems to be his own expectation. (Twitter links via DiComo.) But the organization has ordered up an MRI to make sure there isn’t a more significant problem causing the discomfort.

More broadly, rotation depth continues to be a concern for the Mets, who received a dud of an outing last night from Robert Gsellman. He and Zack Wheeler haven’t produced quite the results hoped for, though their peripherals suggest cause for optimism moving forward. Of greater concern, the organization seemingly still doesn’t know when it’ll welcome back Steven Matz and Seth Lugo to the rotation mix.

Braves Select Contract Of Jason Motte

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The Braves have selected the contract of righty Jason Motte, David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports on Twitter. To open an active roster spot, catcher Anthony Recker was optioned back to Triple-A.

Motte, 34, joined the Braves on a minors deal after he was cut loose by the Rockies. He has impressed in five scoreless appearances at Triple-A, allowing just two hits and a walk while fanning six opposing hitters.

Clay Buchholz Holding Out Hope Of 2017 Return

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Phillies righty Clay Buchholz isn’t counting out a late-season return, as MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki reports. He is currently in the early stages of recovery from surgery for a flexor tendon tear.

The idea of making it back in September seems to represent a rather optimistic scenario for the 32-year-old hurler. While his surgery is said to come with a four-to-six month recovery period, that doesn’t account for the the need to restart a throwing program.

Buchholz acknowledges that he was not operating at his peak even prior to the injury. As Zolecki notes, his velocity readings showed that. “I was probably throwing at 85 percent,” says Buchholz, “just trying to do what I was doing, get by and build arm strength.” Nevertheless, he insists, the injury arose suddenly.

The veteran starter says that he has apologized throughout the organization for being out, though surely he’s not at fault here. Still, the club seems unlikely to get much for its $13.5MM investment. Barring a surprising return late this year, odds are that Buchholz will not throw another pitch for the Phillies before he reaches free agency for the first time.

As for that upcoming open-market trip, Buchholz suggested he has every intention of returning. “I wanted to pitch,” says Buchholz. “I wanted to be good. … I definitely don’t think I’m done playing. I’ve stayed healthy for the most part. This is the first issue that has involved surgery for me.”

There’s plenty of time to see how the market shapes up, but Buchholz seems likely to represent a classic buy-low, back-of-the-rotation target. He has been excellent at times, including recently (in much of 2015 and late in 2016), though inconsistency and questions about his health will surely tamp down interest.

Minor MLB Transactions: 4/26/17

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Here are Wednesday’s minor moves from around the league…

  • The Rangers signed right-hander Walker Weickel to a minor league contract, per Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News (Twitter link). The 23-year-old has spent his entire career prior to this point with the Padres, who selected him 55th overall back in the 2012 draft. Weickel’s career has been slowed by injuries, including Tommy John surgery, and he’s been limited to 22 1/3 innings over the past two seasons combined. Texas has assigned Weickel to extended Spring Training, per Grant.
  • Right-hander Casey Fien’s contract was selected by the Mariners prior to tonight’s game, the team announced. He’ll rejoin the club after previously being outrighted earlier this season. The 33-year-old Fien was slammed for seven runs on seven hits and three walks in 5 2/3 innings in his first stint with the Mariners. Though he’s struggled since the onset of the 2016 season, Fien was a reliable middle relief/setup option for the Twins from 2012-15, logging 223 2/3 innings with a 3.54 ERA, 7.9 K/9 and 1.6 BB/9. Seattle’s 40-man roster is once again full with Fien’s addition.

Shelby Miller Receiving Third Opinion From Dr. James Andrews

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April 26: Miller’s MRI is being sent to Dr. James Andrews for a third opinion, writes MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert. Miller, according to Gilbert, was asked directly if the first two readings of his MRI results showed a torn ulnar collateral ligament.

“They see something in there,” Miller said to reporters. “They haven’t given me specifics yet, exactly what it is or how we’re going to handle it or what we’re going to do to fix it.”

Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic spoke to D-backs manager Torey Lovullo about the impending third opinion, though Lovullo downplayed the ominous nature of that development.

“It’s part of the plan that we had talked about all along where we were going to have this group look at it and come together and get as much information as we possibly could, and pass it along to Shelby and figure out what the best game plan is,” Lovullo told McManaman.

April 24, 6:50pm: Miller is slated to visit orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache for a second opinion, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic tweets.

4:36pm: As expected, the Diamondbacks have moved righty Shelby Miller to the 10-day with forearm tightness, per a club announcement. He was forced out of his start yesterday with an apparent injury, prompting obvious concern from within the organization.

[RELATED: Updated Diamondbacks Depth Chart]

For the time being, reliever Silvino Bracho will take the open roster spot. It’s not immediately clear how the club will fill the gap in its rotation, though it seems reasonable to think that righty Archie Bradley could get a shot. The former top prospect has thrived thus far in a bullpen role.

There’s still no word on a diagnosis for Miller, who entered the year looking to engineer a turnaround following a disastrous debut season in Arizona. Through 22 innings over four starts, he had worked to a 4.09 ERA with 8.2 K/9 but also 4.9 BB/9 while sitting around a career-best 95 mph with his fastball.

All things considered, those numbers provided both cause for optimism and reason for wariness. The hope remains that the 26-year-old has avoided a significant injury, so that both Miller and the team have the chance to find out whether he’s capable of making a full rebound.

NL East Notes: Glover, Marlins, Alfaro, Mets

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The Nationals announced today that right-hander Koda Glover has been placed on the 10-day disabled list due to an impingement in his right hip. As Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post writes, the move is somewhat precautionary. “We are going to need Koda for the long run because he’s never pitched a potential seven months of the season. So just trying to keep an eye on these things,” said manager Dusty Baker. “Cold weather probably didn’t help last night. He didn’t want to go on the DL. We think it’s best for him and what’s best for him is also what’s best for us.” Glover missed the final month of the 2016 season with a partially torn labrum in that same hip, Janes notes, and he elected to undergo physical therapy instead of offseason surgery. The 23-year-old righty is “extremely confident” that he’ll be ready to go in 10 days, Janes adds. Left-hander Matt Grace will take Glover’s spot in the bullpen for now.

More from the NL East…

  • Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports and Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports both penned columns this week on Derek Jeter being the correct person to revitalize — or, as Passan suggests, invigorate for the first time — the baseball community in southern Florida if their purchase of the Marlins goes through. Rosenthal writes that while the Jeter/Jeb Bush-led group may require the typically lengthy approval process, it seems unlikely that the league will stand in the way. Passan cites two sources in reporting that there are “plenty” of “money men” backing Jeter and Bush in their efforts to purchase the club. Both writers suggest that the allure of Jeter himself, a more dedicated plan to capitalizing on Miami’s proximity to Latin America, and the potential for increased payroll funding could bring in a new era of Marlins baseball. As Passan points out, whoever is brought in to oversee baseball operations will have multiple avenues to pursue; either try to build around the young core of Christian Yelich, Giancarlo Stanton, Dee Gordon, J.T. Realmuto and Marcell Ozuna or field interest in those controllable talents to bring in a flood of youth that can comprise the next competitive Marlins roster.
  • Top catching prospect Jorge Alfaro is off to a blistering start with the Phillies’ Triple-A affiliate, but as MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki writes, a promotion to the Majors is not in his immediate future. Zolecki explains that despite being just 23 years of age, Alfaro is in his final option year, meaning the Phillies won’t be able to shuttle him back and forth between the Majors and Triple-A next season if he struggles. As such, there’s every incentive to make sure that Alfaro is not rushed to the Majors. Alfaro still has work to do in terms of his K/BB numbers and his defense, though it’s hard to ignore the numbers he’s logged thus far. In a small sample of 63 plate appearances, Alfaro is hitting .377/.397/.607 with three homers, two triples and a double.
  • Injured Mets pitchers Steven Matz and Seth Lugo are both ready to begin throwing off a mound, tweets MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo. Both pitchers have been throwing from 120 feet and reported no discomfort following those sessions. Matz has been on the disabled list with an elbow injury, though there’s been some debate about the specific nature of the ailment. Lugo, meanwhile, was diagnosed with a partial tear in his ulnar collateral ligament, though to this point surgery seemingly isn’t being considered as an option.

Giants Select Contract Of Michael Morse, Place Denard Span On DL

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5:21pm: The Giants have moved Parker to the 60-day disabled list to create a spot on the 40-man roster for Morse. Additionally, center fielder Denard Span has been placed on the 10-day disabled list. Brandon Crawford, meanwhile, has been placed on the bereavement list, and Kelby Tomlinson has been recalled from Triple-A.

5:02pm: The Giants have selected the contract of first baseman/outfielder Michael Morse, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (Twitter link). There’s no word on a corresponding move for Morse just yet, though the 40-man roster is currently full. One obvious solution would be to move Madison Bumgarner or Jarrett Parker the 60-day disabled list, as each could be out for two months or more following their recent injuries.

The 35-year-old Morse saw just eight plate appearances in the Majors in 2016 and hasn’t hit much since the 2014 campaign — a season which he spent with the Giants en route their most recent World Series victory. Morse slugged at a .276/.339/.475 clip for the Giants in ’14, which led to a two-year deal with the Marlins. However, Morse was unable to live up to that $16MM price tag, hitting a combined .224/.303/.325 in the 2015-16 seasons combined.

Morse had a nice Spring Training with the Giants, though, hitting .258/.343/.516 through 14 games before a hamstring injury sidelined him near the end of camp. He’s only appeared in six minor league games with the Giants thus far, but he’ll seemingly be added to the roster in hopes of bolstering the big league club’s left field production (either by manning left field himself or by handling first-base duties while Brandon Belt shifts to the outfield grass). To date, Giants left fielders are hitting a combined .131/.207/.205 on the season, and the Opening Day starter, Parker, will be out upwards of eight weeks after suffering a broken clavicle.

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