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Cincinnati Reds: Devin Mesoraco Has Torn Labrum

By Eric Roseberry |
May 12, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco (39) hits the game winning double during the ninth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Great American Ball Park. The Reds won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports
May 12, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco (39) hits the game winning double during the ninth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Great American Ball Park. The Reds won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports

Devin Mesoraco had been off to a slow start this season with the Cincinnati Reds. Now, we may know why.

On Monday the Cincinnati Reds announced that Devin Mesoraco has a torn labrum in his left shoulder. For now he’s been placed on the 15 day disable list, and Reds beat writer Zach Buchanan notes that Mesoraco plans to have surgery “at some point.” Since it is Mesoraco’s non-throwing shoulder, it’s possible he could try and finish the season with the club.

Mesoraco was off to an incredibly slow start in 2016. He was hitting .140/.218/.160, and was still looking for his first home run of the season. This is the second straight year that an injury could end Mesoraco’s season early. Last season he experienced an “impingement in his left hip” that required surgery.  The Reds have tried to ease Mesoraco back into action. Late last year they allowed him to play in the outfield for Triple-A Louisville during a rehab assignment. There was some talk that Cincinnati would consider giving him more time in left field to try and keep his offensive production in the lineup while easing the strain on his hip.

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Part of what makes these past two seasons so frustrating for Cincinnati is that Mesoraco experienced a breakout in 2014. He was an all-star that season, and even picked up some down ballot MVP votes. During that year he hit .273/.359/.534 with 25 HR and 80 RBI. While his defense behind the plate was a work in progress, it was hard to deny that he had value in the lineup. While it was only one season, there were reasons to believe that he could become one of the best offensive catchers in baseball.

Where do the Reds turn now? Tucker Barnhart should receive most of the starts behind the plate. He’s hit well in 15 games this season (.298/.365/.383), but it’s likely those numbers will regress some. By DRS (-1) he’s been just below league average on defense in 2016, but he should be an adequate replacement for now. Ramon Cabrera is the new backup catcher in Cincinnati.

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This is just another in a long list of injuries for the Reds so far this season. Currently, Raisel Iglesias, Anthony DeSclafani, Homer Bailey, Jon Lamb, Michael Lorenzen, and Yorman Rodriguez are all on the DL. This isn’t the only reason for Cincinnati’s struggles, but it’s helped contribute to their 10-16 record. With little hope of contending this season it would make sense to take it slow with a number of these players.

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