Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco has once again been hit with an injury, this time a fracture in the fifth metatarsal of his left foot, per Zach Buchanan of the Cincinnati Enquirer (Twitter link). More will be known about his prognosis once he is examined by team doctors.
Significant hip and shoulder problems have limited the 29-year-old in recent years. In fact, his 55 games this year represent the most action he has seen since 2014 — a season in which he had emerged as one of the game’s most productive backstops with 25 long balls and a 147 OPS+.
Mesoraco has battled just to get on the field ever since. He was hitting quite well earlier this year after opening on the disabled list, but has struggled badly at the plate since returning in July from another DL placement for a shoulder issue. Through 164 plate appearances on the year, Mesoraco owns a .213/.317/.390 slash with six home runs.
It remains to be seen whether Mesoraco will be able to return from his latest injury during the current season. Regardless, he’ll wrap up another injury-riddled campaign and head into the offseason in hopes of returning to full health. Mesoraco is slated to earn $13MM in 2018, the final year of the four-year, $28MM extension he inked after that excellent 2014 season.
nmendoza44
Remember when he was set to become an All-Star level catcher?
davidcoonce74
Yep. Catchers have a pretty high attrition rate. Hard to get too excited about even the most highly-touted of them
SundownDevil
Yes, I think I still have 1 or 2 screenshots of fans stating he was a future Hall of Famer.
Sopro Found
The guy has been beaten up more than anyone I can remember.. it’s pretty much turned him into the quintessential “what could’ve been” player..
ReverieDays
They call him Mr. Glass.
glassml
Hey, I resemble that! “You know why, David? Because of the kids. They called me Mr. Glass.”
Solaris611
Reds stuck with the oft-injured Mesoraco until his contract expires just as they are with Homer Bailey – 2 very ill-fated extensions that have bore no fruit for CIN
davidcoonce74
Yep. Pitchers and catchers have the shortest careers for a reason.
mcmillankmm
Yeah, the Homer Bailey one was a head scratcher, figured Mesoraco would be more reasonable. But at least his deal is up after next year.
halos and quacks
Wish nothing but the best for him. Very unfortunate
mlbgeek
I agree, I feel terrible for the guy.
Michael Chaney
It’s a shame that he can never stay healthy…he looked so good a few years ago
brood550
Maybe a move to the AL to DH is in order for him.
gocincy
I’m not sure he hits well enough to merit a DH role. Sad, but true.
SimplyAmazin91
Seems like a platoon, pinch-hitter-type to me unless he gets healthy and turns it on.
BrandonGregory74
That’s my thought.
T206
Maybe he has Osteoporosis or something wrong with his bone density. I’ve never seen so many extreme injuries, one right after another, in a player so young.
Cheeseball
Rich Harden? I’m sure we can think of more
Randy Klemme
I can’t believe you ignorant idiots are blaming Meso for getting hit by a pitch fracturing a bone. That’s how small minded you people are
koldjerky
Lol no one blamed him. Saying someone is oft injured is different than blaming someone for being injured.