KISSIMMEE, Fla. _ Told that he didn't make the Mets' major league club, Devin Mesoraco decided Saturday to leave the team rather than report to minor league camp.
Mesoraco was among the Mets' latest spring training cuts. Also reassigned to the minors were infielder Adeiny Hechavarria, outfielders Rajai Davis and Carlos Gomez, and lefthanders Ryan O'Rourke and Hector Santiago.
The Mets said Mesoraco was "reassessing his situation." But a source familiar with Mesoraco's thinking said the catcher, who is 30 and has spent more than seven years in the majors, will not go to Triple-A. He remains under contract _ a minor league deal _ with the Mets, who are left with a decision: grant Mesoraco his release or put him on the restricted list.
Mesoraco's disappointment stems from pre-contract conversations with the Mets, which left him under the impression that he had two viable paths to breaking camp with the team: if Travis d'Arnaud (Tommy John surgery) wasn't ready for the start of the season, or if the Mets carried three catchers. In the end, the Mets prioritized Tomas Nido over Mesoraco, even with d'Arnaud's fate to be decided.
General manager Brodie Van Wagenen declined through a team spokesman to comment.
"We value defense behind there because of who our pitchers are and what they can do, and Nido gives them the best chance to succeed in our mind at this point," manager Mickey Callaway said.
He added he understands Mesoraco's disappointment and isn't surprised at his decision.
"We respect the hell out of Mes," Callaway said. "It's his prerogative to take care of him and his family and make the best decision for all of those involved.
"This guy worked his tail off to be with a major league club and I hope he gets that opportunity at some point. We'll see."
After joining the Mets from the Reds in last May's Matt Harvey trade, Mesoraco developed a strong rapport with most of the Mets pitchers and became Jacob deGrom's personal backstop, catching 21 of his 32 starts in his Cy Young season.
DeGrom, who spoke to Mesoraco Friday night, said he'll miss him.
"Great guy and I wish him the best," deGrom said. "I felt like what we were able to do last year was pretty special, and he caught most of those innings. I told him that."
(DeGrom threw three perfect innings to Nido on Saturday, the catcher's first time catching the Mets' ace in a game. "He did a nice job," deGrom said. "A very nice job.")
