Devin Mesoraco wants to stay on the restricted list despite a prime opportunity existing with his New York Mets.
Devin Mesoraco will remain on the restricted list and seems unlikely to report to the New York Mets, according to Andy Martino of SNY.
The Mets’ DFA of Travis d’Arnaud does not change anything for Devin Mesoraco. Told he intends to remain at home and on the restricted list despite the Mets org having one fewer catcher. Probably time to stop wondering if he’ll ever be a Met again
— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) April 29, 2019
Mesoraco, who was acquired from the Cincinnati Reds last year in the Matt Harvey trade, has been on the restricted list since March 25. He did not make the Opening Day roster out of spring training and refused to report to the minor leagues. It was the latest misstep in a once-promising career since derailed by injuries.
Then, the Mets designated the oft-injured Travis D’Arnaud on Sunday. If there was ever a chance for Mesoraco, this was it, but the Mets recalled Tomas Nido from Triple-A Syracuse instead.
This all but confirms the end of Devin Mesoraco’s Mets tenure, and probably his career. He only hit .222 wearing orange and blue in 2018, but slugged ten home runs with 30 RBI in 66 games. Mesoraco was also an All-Star with the Reds in 2014, batting .273 with 25 homers and 80 RBI in only 114 games.
However, the 2014 season was the last in which Mesoraco appeared in over 100 games. The Reds gave him a $28 million extension following his All-Star season, only for him to miss all but 23 games in 2015 with a hip injury.
A torn labrum in his right shoulder limited him to 16 games the following year, and he was then relegated to backup duty.
And yet, despite his known injury issues, Devin Mesoraco found himself too good for the minors and instead went home. He may have a decent bat but that does not matter. The Mets are looking to compete this year, so better to leave a selfish player on the restricted list.
ESNY will update this story as more details emerge, so stay tuned.
