May 7th, 2022CINCINNATI — Josh VanMeter is not a catcher. The last time he suited up behind the dish was in high school. He has not caught a game as a professional. So when the backup catcher was ejected and the starting catcher sustained an injury, what was going through VanMeter’s head?For the first time since high school, VanMeter, the Pirates’ second baseman and emergency catcher, threw on a chest protector and shin straps, catching an inning in Pittsburgh’s 9-2 loss to the Reds on Saturday at Great American Ballpark after Roberto Pérez exited with left hamstring discomfort. Pérez was later transferred to the 10-day IL with a left hamstring strain, and Michael Perez had his contract selected from Triple-A Indianapolis. All things considered — and there is a lot to consider — VanMeter handled the assignment pretty well.“He did an admirable job,” said manager Derek Shelton. “Getting back there in a tight game and having to do what he did, I give him a ton of credit.”When Pérez was laying on the dirt in the top of the eighth inning after collapsing trying to round second base, VanMeter knew he was the next man up. Under normal circumstances, backup…
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VanMeter pressed into duty as emergency catcher – MLB.com
