CINCINNATI — 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. But due to an injury and an ejection, VanMeter’s name was called.
For the first time in more than a decade, VanMeter, the Pirates’ second baseman and emergency catcher, threw on the 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 left with left hamstring discomfort.
Backup Andrew Knapp would have been the likely successor to Pérez, but Knapp was ejected earlier in the game — despite not being in the game — arguing a check swing call.
On April 16, VanMeter came close to being used behind the plate. Prior to the game, Pérez had been scratched from the lineup due to an illness. Knapp slid into the starting lineup as the next catcher up, but briefly looked in danger of having to exit the game when his hand was struck by a bat. Knapp, though, remained in the ballgame. After the game, VanMeter said his heart started racing during the few moments Knapp needed to collect himself.
VanMeter’s maiden voyage as a catcher wasn’t an easy one. VanMeter caught 50 pitches in the bottom of the eighth inning — 24 from Wil Crowe and 26 from Beau Sulser. He also took a foul ball off the face mask.