(2/23/2009) Reds non-roster catcher Humberto Cota arrived in camp Sunday after resolving a visa problem, but he could soon be gone. Cota is one of the Reds expecting to play in the World Baseball Classic.
Reds give Cota minor deal
(2/2/2009) The Reds signed catcher Humberto Cota to a minor league contract.
Cota suspended 50 games Wed.
(5/28/2008) Rockies minor league catcher Humberto Cota was suspended for 50 games Wednesday after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug. Cota was penalized under the major league drug program, even though he has not been on a major league roster since last June 15, when he was released by the Pittsburgh Pirates. The reason he was covered by the major league plan rather than the minor league program wasn't announced. "I want to make it clear that I did not use any banned substances in order to improve my performance," Cota said in a statement released by the players' association. "In July 2007, I had season-ending surgery performed on my left shoulder. During this past winter, while I was a free agent, my shoulder was slow to heal. I took substances that were prescribed for me by a doctor in Mexico."
Cota already in minors camp
(3/26/2008) The Colorado Rockies sent several players to minor league camp on Wednesday, including Seth Smith, who helped fuel the team's first pennant drive with a series of key pinch hits last September. The Rockies also released former All-Star Marcus Giles, who lost out to rookie Jayson Nix for the starting job at second base. Two others who were in the mix, Omar Quintanilla and Ian Stewart, were optioned to minor league camp, while catcher Humberto Cota was reassigned to minor league camp.
Rockies give Cota minor deal
(3/23/2008) The Rockies signed catcher Humberto Cota to a minor league contract.
Escobar, Cota reassigned to minors
(3/18/2008) The Nationals assigned OF Alex Escobar and C Humberto Cota, both non-roster invitees, to their minor-league camp. Escobar exercised his option to become a free agent.
(8/4/2007) Pirates C Humberto Cota, who had appeared in only one game since April 22 and was with Triple-A Indianapolis, will have season-ending surgery on his left shoulder.
Cota has tough decision to make
(6/15/2007) Pirates C Humberto Cota, who was designated for assignment June 4, had his 10-day window expire and Friday he was in the midst of his 24-hour window to elect whether to accept an outright assignment to Triple-A Indianapolis or declare free agency.
Cota designated for assignment
(6/5/2007) Outfielder Rajai Davis, on a 21-game hitting streak for Triple-A Indianapolis, was recalled by the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night and catcher Humberto Cota was designated for assignment.
Cota comes off DL on Sunday
(5/20/2007) The Pirates activated C Humberto Cota (shoulder) from the 15-day DL on Sunday and optioned OF/1B Brad Eldred to Triple-A Indianapolis.
Cota will remain in minors
(5/17/2007) With Ryan Doumit hitting close to .400 and Ronny Paulino showing signs of emerging from a long hitting slump, the Pirates have no plans to recall C Humberto Cota from his rehabilitation assignment at Triple-A Indianapolis, at least this week. Cota (left shoulder strain) was eligible to come off the DL on May 8.
Cota smashing it up in Triple-A
(5/16/2007) Pirates C Humberto Cota, on the disabled list with a strained left shoulder, has gone 6-for-17 (.353) with two doubles and four RBI in the first seven games of his injury-rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis. Cota is eligible to come off the DL now but can stay with Indianapolis for 20 days through May 29.
Cota does well in minors
(5/14/2007) Pirates C Humberto Cota, on the disabled list with a strained left shoulder, is 5 for 13 (.385) with two doubles and three RBI in the first five games of his injury rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis. There is no timetable for when Cota can come off the DL, but he can stay with Indianapolis for 20 days through May 23.
Pirates' Cota start rehab stint
(5/9/2007) Pirates C Humberto Cota, who has been on the disabled list since April 23 with a strained right shoulder, began an injury-rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday and went 0-for-2. Cota has appeared in just four games this season for the Pirates, hitting .250 with three RBIs after driving in only five runs all last season.
Pirates put Cota on 15-day DL
(4/26/2007) The Pirates placed Humberto Cota (left shoulder strain) on the 15-day DL and called up Ryan Doumit from the minors.
Cota doesn't do much in start
(4/23/2007) Ronny Paulino was given a day off to rest on Sunday at L.A. Dodgers, as Humberto Cota got the start in his absence. Cota was 0-for-3 with a strikeout in the start.
Cota, Pirates avoid arbitration
(1/12/2007) The Pirates agreed to terms with C Humberto Cota on a one-year contract.
Cota stuck behind hot Paulino
(7/5/2006) Rookie C Ronny Paulino made a pair of throwing errors on stolen bases by Jose Reyes, giving him nine errors this season. Paulino entered the game with the most errors among NL catchers. The rookie has stolen full-time duty from career reserve Humberto Cota.
Humberto Cota still spot starter
(6/17/2006) Cota has played in only three games for the month of June, totaling just seven at-bats for the Pirates.
Cota to sit again Sunday
(5/28/2006) Ryan Doumit made his first start at catcher since April 11 on Saturday night. Doumit was out for three weeks with a hamstring injury and, after returning May 3, has been used at first base and designated hitter. Ronny Paulino, who has supplanted Doumit and Humberto Cota as the starting C, will catch Oliver Perez's start Sunday against the Astros. Previously, Cota caught nearly all of Perez's starts, but Perez has given up only two earned runs in his last two starts with Paulino catching.
Cota still not in the lineup
(7:23 pm ET) Humberto Cota (thigh) is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game at Cleveland, as Ryan Doumit (hamstring) was inserted into the lineup at designated hitter and Ronny Paulino is back behind the plate.
Cota sita again on Thursday
(5/18/2006) Humberto Cota (thigh) was out of the starting lineup for yet another game on Thursday afternoon against Cincinnati, as the team gave catcher Ronny Paulino another start behind the dish.
(5/17/2006) Humberto Cota (thigh) was out of the starting lineup for yet another game on Wednesday night against Cincinnati, as the team gave catcher Ronny Paulino another start behind the dish.
Cota, Doumit do not start
(5/16/2006) Humberto Cota (thigh) and Ryan Doumit (hamstring) are both out of the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Reds in favor of Ronny Paulino, who continues to start behind the dish.
Cota leaves game early
(5/14/2006) Pirates C Humberto Cota was lifted to start the third because of a bruised right knee. Ronny Paulino replaced him and went 1-for-4 in the game.
Cota to catch for O. Perez
(5/12/2006) C Humberto Cota will continue to be the personal catcher for struggling LHP Oliver Perez, even though Pirates pitchers have a 3.06 ERA in the 16 games that C Ronny Paulino has started. The staff has a 6.08 ERA with Cota behind the plate.
Pirates C Cota on the outs?
(5/1/2006) When the Pirates placed Ryan Doumit on the DL with a strained left hamstring April 16 and called up Ronny Paulino from Triple-A Indianapolis, it appeared certain Paulino would go back to the minors once Doumit was healthy. However, Paulino has at least given the Pirates something to think about by hitting .304 in eight games. Furthermore, Pirates pitchers have a 3.16 ERA with Paulino catching as opposed to a 6.25 mark with Doumit or Humberto Cota behind the plate. Doumit can spend up to 20 days on his rehab assignment, which would buy the Pirates more time to make a decision on which of the three catchers will eventually be sent down. Cota is out of minor league options, though, and would have to pass through waivers to be sent out.
Cota on a four-game hit parade
(4/28/2006) C Humberto Cota's bat has started to come alive after a slow start. He is 9-for-30 (.300) in the last nine games and is on a four-game hitting streak, during which he is 5-for-13 (.385).
Cota relegated to reserve role
(4/24/2006) C Humberto Cota started Sunday behind the plate for the first time in four games, but Pirates manager Jim Tracy has decided C Ronny Paulino will get the majority of starts at catcher, at least until C Ryan Doumit is activated from the DL. Cota is a better defensive catcher, but Paulino also has a strong arm and is more of an offensive threat. Doumit is eligible to be activated Friday and says his strained left hamstring is much improved.
Cota to see more action
(4/16/2006) The Pirates recalled catcher Ronny Paulino from Triple-A Indianapolis and placed catcher Ryan Doumit (hamstring) on the 15-day DL retroactive to April 12.
H. Cota starts Friday
(4/14/2006) Humberto Cota started behind the plate in place of Ryan Doumit (hamstring) against the Cubs Friday. Doumit was available to pinch hit and possibly more according to the team.
Cota working well with pitchers
(4/11/2006) MLB.com reports that Pirates manager Jim Tracy likes splitting Ryan Doumit and Humberto Cota behind the plate, particularly relying on Cota since he is better defensively. Tracy does see the upside in Doumit, but likes how Cota has a better relationship with the pitchers. "When half of the team is the pitching staff, there are some intangible things that are important," said Tracy. "We can sit here and talk about hitting all we want. But that won't help the other part that is vitally necessary to the success of the Major League team, and that's the interaction that takes place between two guys 60 feet, six inches away from one another. That's just as important as anybody's batting average."
Cota stealing at-bats from Doumit
(4/6/2006) C Humberto Cota returned to the starting lineup Wednesday. He started opening day, but sat Tuesday in favor of Ryan Doumit. Both catchers will play regularly, manager Jim Tracy said.
Cota starts on opening day
(4/4/2006) C Humberto Cota, who went 1-for-3, got the start behind the plate in the opener Monday instead of projected starter Ryan Doumit for two reasons. One is that Cota was 3-for-3 in his career against Brewers LHP Doug Davis. Cota also has become LHP Oliver Perez's personal catcher over the past three seasons.
Humberto Cota to skip WBC
(3/2/2006) MLB.com reports that Pirates backup catcher Humberto Cota won't play for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic. "I was only going to catch one game [for Mexico]. I thought it would be better for me to work with the new coaching staff and manager here," said Cota. "It was a tough decision, but this is a big year for me and I want to do everything I can to be ready."
Bucs C Cota waiting in the wings
(2/23/2006) Pirates C Humberto Cota hit .242 with seven homers and 43 RBIs in 93 games last season and could take over as the starter behind the plate if C Ryan Doumit falters.
Cota returns to the lineup
(7/5/2005) Humberto Cota (head) is back in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Phillies.
Cota sits out again Monday
(7/4/2005) Humberto Cota (head) missed another game on Monday against the Phillies.
Cota finishes Sunday's game
(7/3/2005) Humberto Cota (head) did not start Sunday's game at Milwaukee, but he finished the game for Ryan Doumit. He was 1-for-1 with an RBI double.
Cota has tests for concussion
(6/30/2005) The team's official website reports Humberto Cota was hit in the head by a pitch in Wednesday's game, so he was tested for a concussion.
Cota likely Pirates' No. 1 C now
(5/8/2005) Former Dodgers backup David Ross and Humberto Cota, who was activated from the DL April 19, the same day recently released Santiago refused to leave it, will serve as the Pirates' catching core now that Santiago has been released. Cota has started 10 of the next 19 games, including Sunday against Arizona. He went 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBI.
Cota to see bulk of starts
(4/20/2005) Humberto Cota, recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, is expected to see a majority of the starts behind the dish for the Pirates. "He's probably going to get the bulk of the playing time as our No. 1 guy," manager Lloyd McClendon told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Cota returns from DL
(4/19/2005) The Pirates brought Humberto Cota (strained oblique) off of the 15-day disabled list Tuesday. Benito Santiago (viral infection) was placed on the DL to make room.
Cota on rehab assignment
(4/18/2005) Humberto Cota (oblique) is on a rehab assignment for Triple-A Indianapolis. Littlefield told the team will likely not carry three catchers. "The No. 1 factor is going to be performance," Littlefield told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "We're looking for good players."
Cota tests his injury
(4/13/2005) The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports Humberto Cota (oblique) tested his injury in batting practice on Tuesday.
Cota ready for rehab
(4/11/2005) The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Humberto Cota (strained left oblique) is set to come off the 15-day disabled list Monday. He will likely take a day or two of batting practice before beginning a Triple-A rehab assignment.
Cota goes on DL
(4/2/2005) The Pirates placed Humberto Cota (abdominal) on the 15-day disabled list Saturday retroactive to March 26. He was replaced on the 25-man roster by David Ross.
(4/1/2005) The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that it is unlikely that Humberto Cota (strained oblique) will make the opening-day roster. If he can't get healthy by Saturday, they will have no choice but to send him down.
Humberto Cota nursing injury
(3/30/2005) Cota is nursing a strained left hip and might not be ready for the team's opener.
Cota hits pair of spring homers
(3/26/2005) Backup catcher Humberto Cota hit two solo homers Saturday for the Pirates, who lead the NL with 34 homers this spring -- a surprising development for a team that was only 12th in the league last season.
Pirates' Cota to get a long look at C
(11/28/2004) Humberto Cota is currently atop the Pirates' depth chart at catcher after the trade of Jason Kendall. "We'll probably go out to get a catcher to add to Cota," Pirates GM Dave Littlefield told MLB.com. "I don't know that we have to designate one as a starting catcher necessarily. We do have a good feeling about Cota in the time that we've had him."
Pittsburgh activates Cota
(8/2/2004) The Pirates activated Humberto Cota (strained left oblique) from the 15-day disabled list on Monday.
Cota could begin rehab this week
(7/19/2004) Humberto Cota (strained left oblique) might begin a minor-league rehabilitation assignment later this week, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "It's certainly getting closer," Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield said.
Cota takes batting practice
(7/8/2004) Humberto Cota (oblique) took batting practice on Wednesday for the first time since going on the disabled list May 27.
Cota to take BP this week
(6/29/2004) The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Humberto Cota continues to improve and will likely take batting practice later this week, then go on a rehab assignment.
Cota might begin taking BP
(6/28/2004) The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Humberto Cota (strained left oblique) could take batting practice Monday, although he backed away from taking swings this weekend when he felt discomfort while exercising.
Cota not ready to return
(6/16/2004) The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review says Humberto Cota (oblique) is not ready to come off the DL. "He has yet to swing a bat," McClendon said.
Cota goes on DL
(5/28/2004) Humberto Cota (strained oblique) was placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Pirates Friday.
Cota knocked from Thursday's game
(5/27/2004) Humberto Cota left Thursday's game at St. Louis after the top of the fifth inning with a strained muscle in his left side. He said he aggravated an injury he sustained on May 19 in a doubleheader against San Diego. "After my first at-bat, it was pretty tough to throw the ball back," Cota said. "After that first at-bat, to be honest with you, I couldn't breathe at all."
Cota stops playing baseball
(9/1/2003) Humberto Cota has stopped playing for Trilpe-A Nashville because he is worried about his surgically repaired left hand, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "He's made the decision at this point [that] he's not playing," said Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield said. "He has been suspended without pay."
Pirates demote Cota to Triple-A
(8/19/2003) The Pirates have optioned Humberto Cota to Triple-A Nashville, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Humberto Cota recalled
(7/21/2003) The Pirates recalled Cota from Triple-A Nashville on Monday. He replaces the traded Mike Williams on the roster.
Cota optioned to Nashville
(7/7/2003) The Pirates optioned Humberto Cota to Triple-A Nashville on Monday.
Pirates recall Humberto Cota
(6/29/2003) Cota was recalled from Triple-A Nashville on Sunday.
Cota out with sore hand
(3/17/2003) Humberto Cota did not participate in drills for the second consecutive day on Saturday. He will meet with a doctor to determine if he has re-injured his surgically-repaired left hand, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. The team might keep Craig A. Wilson as the backup catcher and option Cota to Triple-A to begin the season.
Cota returns Friday
(3/1/2003) Humberto Cota (hand) returned to the lineup Friday.
Cota has resumed practicing
(2/26/2003) The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Cota (hand) is practicing without restrictions. However, he might not play in a game for a week to ensure the soreness is gone.
Pirates' Cota takes BP
(2/18/2003) Humberto Cota, who is on the mend from thumb surgery, took batting practice for the first time this spring on Monday, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
