In case you hadn’t noticed, Tucker Barnhart has started four of the last five games for the Cincinnati Reds behind the plate, a stretch of play that should’ve made it obvious that something was up with Devin Mesoraco. As it turns out, Mesoraco, who had gone just 1 for his last 15 with no walks and 5 Ks dating back to June 26th, has a strained left shoulder, an injury significant enough to land him on the 10-day DL today. The Reds themselves announced the move on Wednesday afternoon.
The left shoulder is the same non-throwing shoulder that needed labrum surgery just last year, which obviously makes the severity of this particular injury in a bit more of a spotlight.