Michel

Hernandez

Hernandez should get the callup over A.J. Hinch if either Mike Lieberthal or Todd Pratt gets hurt.

He’ll also receive an invite to spring training. Hernandez batted .273/.384/.381 two homers and 27 RBI over 211 plate appearances between Double- and Triple-A with the Baltimore and Cleveland organizations last season. The 33-year-old hasn’t played in the big leagues since 2009 as a member of the Rays and would seem to be a longshot to make the Opening Day roster.

Hernandez, who hit .288/.368/.364 for Triple-A Portland, could open the year third or fourth on the Cardinals’ depth chart at catcher. The other two may battle for spots on the Double-A roster.

The Cardinals added Hernandez to their 40-man roster right after giving him a minor league contract. Either it was part of the deal or they just wanted to make sure he wouldn’t be taken in the Rule 5 draft. Because of their lack of minor league depth, they can afford to give away the spot, even though Hernandez will be viewed primarily as insurance.

The dreaded name of Dr. James Andrews even came up. Looks like it will be Michel Hernandez backing up Dioner Navarro for the forseeable future.

Michel Hernandez will fill in. Navarro was held out of Monday’s starting lineup with the same issue. He should be fine on Wednesday.

The Rays still don’t have much faith in John Jaso’s ability to catch, so Hernandez, who served as a third catcher last September, returns to back up Dioner Navarro. He was 1-for-8 for Triple-A Durham.

A fine night for Hernandez, but also pretty flukey. He’s unlikely to play much even though Dioner Navarro has struggled thus far.

Navarro is hitting .189/.190/.247 on the year and the Rays are scrambling to turn around their 10-15 start. As unlikely as it is, if Hernandez keeps hitting, Navarro could start taking more frequent seats on the bench. Shawn Riggans, the original backup catcher for the Rays, will begin his rehab assignment in Double-A Tuesday. He plans to make at least six rehab starts.

No word on what the injury is, but he left after a Grant Balfour pitch deflected off Jack Cust’s bat and hammered Navarro in the facemask. We’ll keep you posted. Michel Hernandez replaced him behind the plate.