Mesoraco leaves Reds game with quad cramp

By foxsports
Published

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Reds and Devin Mesoraco are hopeful the only thing the All-Star catcher is dealing with is a cramped quadriceps after Mesoraco was forced to leave Sunday's 8-6 Cactus League win against the Los Angeles Angels in the third inning.

Mesoraco, running from first base on a ball hit into the gap in left-center field by Brennan Boesch off of Angels' starter Andrew Heaney, had to pull up at third base instead of scoring because of tightness he felt in his left quad.

Boesch was halfway past second base and heading to third when he had to stop, turn around and get back to second because Mesoraco was still at third base. Mesoraco limped off the field with trainer Paul Lessard and was replaced by minor-league catcher Chad Wallach.

"It’s hot. Maybe I didn’t drink enough water. Definitely hoping it’s a cramp," said Mesoraco.

The temperature at the 12:10 p.m. (PT) first pitch was 88 degrees.

"We’ll certainly know quite a bit more in the next 48 hours or so," said manager Bryan Price. "I’m hoping it’s just a cramp and in the next couple of days he’s feeling a lot better."

Mesoraco reached base on a fielder's choice when he beat out a potential double-play ball to shortstop. He said he didn't feel any trouble until he rounded second base.  

"I felt good," said Mesoraco. "There’s been some regular soreness from getting my innings built up. Two days ago I caught back-to-back nine innings. So everything has been a little bit sore but nothing out of the ordinary."

Mesoraco missed time earlier this spring with a concussion. He started last season on the disabled list with an oblique strain that forced him to miss the first six games. He spent a second stint on the DL with a strained left hamstring suffered in late April.

Mesoraco still finished the season with 25 home runs and 80 RBI in 114 games. He signed a four-year contract with the Reds this past offseason.

"I think you get that cramp feeling in there and it’s hard to tell if you actually pulled it or if it was a cramp," said Mesoraco. "Right now my strength is good. I’ve missed Opening Day enough. I want to be in there. Hopefully I’ll be fine."