FRANCISCO MEJÍA NEWS

Accepts outright assignment Mejia cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Durham on Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Meija has accepted the outright assignment, per Topkin, which isn't a surprise since declining it would mean forfeiting what's remaining on his $2.16 million salary for this season. The catcher is under team control for 2024 but would seem to be a likely non-tender candidate.

AUGUST 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Designated for assignment Mejia (knee) was activated from the 10-day injured list and designated for assignment Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Mejia completed his rehab assignment as he comes back from a left knee sprain and seemingly had been poised to rejoin the Rays' active roster. However, the team has decided they prefer what Rene Pinto provides as the No. 2 catcher behind Christian Bethancourt. Mejia could clear waivers based on his $2.16 million salary this season, but the former top prospect is under team control for another year so it's possible there will be interest from other organizations.

AUGUST 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Begins rehab assignment Mejia (knee) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham on Sunday.

Impact Mejia went hitless in four plate appearances for Durham on Sunday in his first game action since he went down in late July with a left MCL sprain. He could be ready for activation within the next week or so to serve as Tampa Bay's second catcher behind Christian Bethancourt.

AUGUST 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nearing rehab assignment Mejia (knee) could resume on-field activities Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact If all goes well this weekend, Mejia could play in minor-league rehab games early next week. Rays manager Kevin Cash suggested the catcher could then rejoin the major-league roster by the tail end of the club's upcoming road trip, or when the team returns home Aug. 22. Mejia, who has a .658 OPS and five home runs this season, figures to operate as the clear No. 2 behind Christian Bethancourt upon his return.

AUGUST 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Likely out 3-to-6 weeks Mejia (knee) will likely be out 3-to-6 weeks with the left MCL sprain that sent him to the injured list Friday, Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Mejia told reporters Friday afternoon that he was optimistic about only needing a minimal 10-day IL stint, but it's a fairly significant injury that will require a multi-week shutdown period and then probably a multi-week buildup back into baseball activities. Rene Pinto has been summoned to the Rays to share time behind the plate with Christian Bethancourt.

JULY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Not expected to be out long Mejia (knee) is optimistic that he won't need a long stint on the injured list, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Impact Mejia was placed on the IL Friday with a left MCL sprain, but the catcher said he merely has some inflammation and should be ready after a few weeks of rest and rehab. Rene Pinto is up as Mejia's roster replacement.

JULY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Placed on 10-day IL Mejia (knee) was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday with a left MCL sprain.

Impact Mejia left Thursday's 4-3 loss to the Orioles early with a left knee injury, which has now been diagnosed as an MCL sprain following an MRI. The 27-year-old will now be unavailable for at least 10 days while nursing the injury. Rene Pinto was called up from Triple-A Durham on Friday and he will serve as Christian Bethancourt's backup at catcher for the time being.

JULY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Set for MRI Mejia will undergo an MRI on his left knee following Thursday's game against the Orioles, Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Mejia exited in the seventh inning of Thursday's game. Manager Kevin Cash said that for now the team is considering Mejia's injury a sprain, but there is some concern the issue is more severe. Rene Pinto is currently on a rehab assignment while recovering from an undisclosed injury, though he'd almost certainly be recalled when available to back up Christian Bethancourt if Mejia is forced to the injured list.

JULY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Exits with injury Mejia exited Thursday's game against the Orioles with left knee discomfort, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Impact Mejia exited to start the seventh inning, though it's unclear how the injury occurred. Christain Bethancourt took over behind the plate and would see an uptick in playing time if Mejia is sidelined for any lengthy period of time.

JULY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Swats fourth homer Mejia went 2-for-5 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored across both games of Saturday's doubleheader against the Royals.

Impact Mejia drew the start in the first game of the doubleheader and blasted his fourth homer of the season -- three of which have come in his last 16 games. However, he's hit only .200 in that span and has started only five of the Rays' last 15 games while losing out on playing time to Christain Bethancourt.

JULY 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Swats homer in loss Mejia went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Thursday in a loss to the Royals.

Impact Mejia's seventh-inning solo blast tied the game 3-3, though KC ultimately pulled out the win. The backstop has hit safely in all but one of his nine games in June, batting .355 (11-for-31) with two homers and six RBI over that span. However, he continues to split time behind the plate with the struggling Christian Bethancourt, who is slashing .171/.186/.171 this month but has played in two more contests than Mejia thus far.

JUNE 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Swats second homer Mejia went 2-for-4 with a double and a three-run home run in Saturday's loss to Texas.

Impact Mejia got the start behind the plate and accounted for most of the Rays' run output with his three-run blast off Nathan Eovaldi in the fourth inning. The backstop has hit safely if each of his past five games and is batting .444 (8-for-18) over that span, but he continues to split time at catcher with Christian Bethancourt. The latter has outhomered Mejia 7-2 on the campaign and has superior numbers overall, so Mejia's big performance Saturday isn't likely to result in a changing of the guard.

JUNE 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Two hits in win Mejia went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Monday's win over the Red Sox.

Impact Mejia is now 5-for-11 in his last three games following a 2-for-20 slump in his previous seven contests. The 27-year-old backstop is slashing .226/.267/.333 with one homer, seven RBI, and 16 runs scored through 101 plate appearances while splitting catching duties with Christian Bethancourt in Tampa Bay.

JUNE 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Pops first homer Mejia went 1-for-4 with one homer and two runs scored in Saturday's 12-3 victory over the White Sox.

Impact Mejia missed out on the fun in the Rays' 10-run seventh inning, but he hit a solo shot in the eighth inning. It was Mejia's first hit since April 18, when he had four knocks. The catcher is slashing .200/.260/.311 while sharing duties behind the plate with Christian Bethancourt.

APRIL 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Four hits in win Mejia went 4-for-5 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Tuesday's victory over the Reds.

Impact Mejia was locked in despite not playing in the Rays' last two games, picking up four hits, including a double, in the 10-0 win. The 27-year-old catcher has been solid in limited playing time, slashing .276/.353/.345 with four RBI and eight runs scored in 29 at-bats. Still, Mejia won't likely offer much value for fantasy purposes while splitting duties behind the plate with Christian Bethancourt.

APRIL 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Hits not coming Mejia has only three hits across 18 at-bats in Grapefruit League action.

Impact Mejia also played for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, though he managed only one hit in seven at-bats at the tournament. His slow spring performance won't jeopardize his spot on the Rays' roster, and Christian Bethancourt -- Mejia's primary competition for playing time -- has also struggled this spring. The duo could equally split time behind the dish to begin the regular season as a result.

MARCH 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Comes to terms with Tampa Mejia signed a one-year, $2.155 million contract with the Rays on Friday to avoid arbitration, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Impact Mejia took a step back at the plate in 2022 with just a .645 OPS, and at this point it's difficult to see him turning into an everyday catcher. He will share time behind the dish with Christian Bethancourt in 2023.

JANUARY 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Back from paternity list Mejia (personal) was activated from the paternity list Friday and is on the Rays' roster for the AL Wild Card Series against the Guardians, Steve Carney of StPeteNine.comreports.

Impact The 26-year-old was placed on the paternity list Tuesday and will rejoin the team after spending a few days with his family. Mejia is on the bench for Game 1 in Cleveland on Friday with Christian Bethancourt starting behind the plate and batting seventh.

OCTOBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Guardians Fans Will See A Few Familiar Faces In The Wild Card Series Against The Rays Corey Kluber, Yandy Diaz, and Francisco Mejia used to play for Cleveland but now all on Tampa Bay.

OCTOBER 6, 2022 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Lands on paternity list Mejia was placed on the paternity list Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact This ends Mejia's regular season. The switch-hitting backstop slashed .242/.264/.381 with six home runs, 32 runs and 31 RBI in 93 games. Rene Pinto was recalled to take Mejia's place on the roster.

OCTOBER 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Makes start at DH Mejia will serve as the Rays' designated hitter and No. 8 batter in Monday's game against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Mejia will pick up his fourth start in five games, this time in a non-defensive role after he worked behind the plate Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Though he's seen an uptick in work of late, Mejia owns a pedestrian .596 OPS since the start of September and still looks to be the Rays' No. 2 option at catcher behind Christian Bethancourt.

OCTOBER 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Not starting Wednesday Mejia isn't in the lineup Wednesday against the Guardians.

Impact Mejia has lost out on playing time recently and will be out of the lineup for the fourth time in the last five games. Christian Bethancourt is starting behind the plate and batting seventh.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

On bench Tuesday Mejia is not in Tuesday's lineup against the Guardians.

Impact Mejia has started five of the last 12 games. Christian Bethancourt, who has started six of the last 12 games, will start behind the dish and bat seventh.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting Sunday Mejia is not in Sunday's lineup against the Blue Jays.

Impact Mejia is in a 4-for-27 (.148 AVG) slump over his last nine games. Christian Bethancourt will start behind the dish, hitting seventh.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Not starting Friday Mejia isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Mejia will hand off catching duties to Christian Bethancourt, who will bat seventh as the two backstops continue to trade off between starts.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE