ATLANTA -- The Cincinnati Reds placed catcher Devin Mesoraco on the 15-day disabled list Saturday with a strained left hamstring, and injured closer Aroldis Chapman made a "big step" in his recovery from facial fractures. Nike Free 3.0 v5 Mint Green . Mesoraco hurt his hamstring while scoring from second in Friday nights 5-4 loss at Atlanta. Chapman was hit by a line drive during an exhibition game on March 19, breaking his nose and a bone above his left eye. The left-hander looked strong while throwing 43 pitches in batting practice before Saturday nights game against the Braves. The session was divided into two "innings," separated by a five-minute break. It was Chapmans second time throwing batting practice and his first without a protective screen in front of the mound. He is scheduled to throw another simulated game on Tuesday in Cincinnati before beginning a rehab stint in the minors. "I think it was a big step today to throw without a protective screen for the first time since the incident happened," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "I thought it was a big step, and if one more outing makes him feel physically and mentally more prepared to face hitters in a game situation, thats great." Chapman said he is still regaining the stamina he needs to feel ready for games. "I think everything went well," Chapman said through a translator. "I dont feel physically the same way I was feeling in spring training but I believe with a little work I will be in the physical shape that I want to be." Chapman said he wasnt worried about throwing without the protective screen normally used in batting practice. "Actually, Im really positive," he said. "Since everything that happened to me, Ive been really positive. I didnt have a bad thought that this could happen again, that I could have any trauma to my head again." Price said he does not think Chapman will need a long stay in the minors. "I hate to put a number on it because that would be reckless, but after we send him out I dont think it will be much more than a week," Price said. Right-hander Jonathan Broxton has four saves as the fill-in closer. Third baseman Todd Frazier was held out of the lineup after leaving Friday nights game with tightness in his left leg. Price said Frazier probably could have started if needed. The Reds recalled catcher Tucker Barnhart from Triple-A Louisville to play behind Brayan Pena. Neftali Soto is making his first career start at third base against the Braves. Barnhart, Soto and Ramon Santiago took turns in the batters box against Chapman. Nike Free 3.0 v6 Fly Line Bleu Marine Homme . -- The Pittsburgh Steelers have given Canadian kicker Shaun Suisham a four-year contract extension that runs through the 2018 season. Nike Free 5.0 v4 Pour Homme . Rocque and her Edmonton rink stole two points in the eighth end and hit out for the win after South Korea scored a single in the ninth. "Honestly, this is unexplainable," Rocque said.PHILADELPHIA -- The Canucks say they are happy picking sixth in the NHL draft as it stands now but that hasnt stopped new GM Jim Benning from making calls. "We think at six were going to get a real good player that we like, but up until (Friday) when the draft starts well keep inquiring and seeing what it takes to move up and if weve got the assets to make it happen," Benning said Thursday on the eve of the draft. Benning has a major asset to dangle in the form of centre Ryan Kesler. "Were talking to teams, but at the end of the day were going to do what makes sense to us and to try to help Ryan out," Benning said. "If we dont think we can get a fair deal for him, then were going to keep him and hes a Vancouver Canuck. And were happy to have him back because hes a great player." Kesler has reportedly given the Canucks a list of potential teams he would join, with some suggesting that list is growing shorter. Benning says dealing with a smaller pool of potential trade partners is more difficult but "that is what it is." "Were talking to the agent on a daily basis annd were talking to teams and were hoping to figure something out thats hes happy with and were happy with. Nike Free Bleu Turquoise. " Kesler had 25 goals and 18 assists in 77 games last season. "If were going to go down that path, we want to try to get NHL-calibre players back to help with that," Benning said of losing Keslers offence. Asked about looking for a veteran goalie, Benning said: "Were going to look at all of our options on that." "Weve said before were happy with the progress that Eddie (Lack) made last year. But as free agency comes up, were going to look at options and then if it makes sense for us, well do that." The Canucks also have Jacob Markstrom in goal. Benning said he is not hung up about trades within his own conference. "I dont think that has any bearing on what were trying to do in Vancouver," he said. "We want to try to get some younger players here this next few years going forward. We have (forward) Bo Horvat who we drafted last year and were going to have the sixth pick this year. So were getting some building blocks." Cheap Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys ' ' '
