Making good use of opportunities Mejia, who went 1-for-3 with a double and a run against the Red Sox on Wednesday, has hit safely in all three of his starts thus far.

Impact The reserve backstop is hitting .333 (3-for-9) in the early going, with his two-bagger Wednesday serving as his first extra-base hit of the campaign. Mejia also has two walks and has yet to strike out over his first 11 plate appearances, making him the polar opposite of free-swinging position mate Mike Zunino in that regard.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Gets RBI in first start Mejia went 1-for-2 with an RBI sacrifice fly and a walk in a win over the Marlins on Friday.

Impact The backup backstop didn't have to wait long to draw his first start of the season, and his ninth-inning sac fly gave the Rays some valuable breathing room by extending their lead to two runs. The switch-hitting Mejia should see his fair share of starts against right-handed pitching this season and could potentially carve out a solid swath of playing time if he proves productive at the plate.

APRIL 3 • ROTOWIRE

Primary backup catcher to open '21 Mejia won an Opening Day roster spot as the primary backup to Mike Zunino at catcher, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Impact Mejia was consistent at the plate most of spring, finishing with a .267 average across 32 plate appearances. The 25-year-old once was held in high regard in the Padres organization, and although the franchise decided he was expendable in the Blake Snell trade this past offseason, it appears he'll have a chance at a reset with Tampa Bay.

APRIL 2 • ROTOWIRE

Making strong early impression Mejia, who went 1-for-2 with a double in Tuesday's Grapefruit League loss to the Red Sox, has pleased the Rays coaching staff with his progress early in spring training, Adam Berry...

Impact Mejia is one of the more intriguing prospects to watch in spring camp, considering he was once considered on the fast track to stardom with the Padres organization. The 25-year-old is experiencing a reset of sorts in Tampa Bay after arriving in the Blake Snell trade, and the Rays are intent on grooming him as the switch-hitting complement to starting catcher Mike Zunino, who's only under contract through the end of the 2021 season. Cash notes Mejia has been kept busy getting familiarized with the pitching staff by catching plenty of bullpen and live batting practice sessions, and the Rays skipper adds he plans to single out certain pitchers and frequent 2021 opponents in deciding when to get Mejia game action during the balance of the Grapefruit League schedule.

MARCH 3 • ROTOWIRE

High hopes for '21 Mejia, once considered one of the top catching prospects in all of baseball and part of the Rays' return from the Padres in the Blake Snell trade, has high expectations going into...

Impact Mejia is still just 25 years old and already has one solid big-league season under his belt, having slashed .265/.316/.438 with 21 extra-base hits (11 doubles, two triples, eight home runs) and 22 RBI across 244 plate appearances as a rookie with the Padres in 2019. However, last season was essentially a washout for Mejia, who lost his father in January 2020 and then struggled to a .077/.143/.179 line across 42 PAs over a 17-game span. Nevertheless, the switch-hitting backstop appears primed for the fresh start he'll get in Tampa, having significantly impressed Rays third-base coach Rodney Linares with his play behind the plate and with the bat in the Dominican Winter League and fitting in seamlessly with team's catching plans as a complement to the right-handed Mike Zunino. Given Mejia once put together a 50-game hitting streak during his minor league days, the team essentially views last season's anemic offensive numbers as an outlier, while also having faith he'll refine his defensive skills with the help of the team's stellar coaching staff.

FEBRUARY 23 • ROTOWIRE

Arrives at camp Mejia made it to camp Sunday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Mejia was slightly delayed getting back into the United States and then had to go through the intake process. Given that it's still well over a month until Opening Day, he should have plenty of time to get up to full speed by the time the regular season begins.

FEBRUARY 21 • ROTOWIRE

Slight delay for quarantine Mejia was delayed getting into the country but should be able to join team workouts on Tuesday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Impact Similar logistical delays may pop up for a few players around the league given the difficulties of starting the season during a global pandemic. Mejia's teammate Diego Castillo's arrival has been delayed for the same reason. Both players won't be able to join their teammates until completing a mandatory quarantine, but they should have plenty of time to prepare for the start of the regular season, barring further delays.

FEBRUARY 18 • ROTOWIRE

Tampa Bay Rays: A fresh start for Francisco Mejia may be the ticket Francisco Mejia finds himself with an opportunity to succeed with the Tampa Bay Rays. The San Diego Padres sent waves through the baseball w...

JANUARY 1 • CALLTOTHEPEN.COM

Deal in place with Tampa Bay Mejia is set to be traded from the Padres to the Rays in exchange for left-hander Blake Snell, pending a review of medical records, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

Impact Mejia was unable to maintain a spot on the Padres' active roster in 2020 after the team acquired Austin Nola and Jason Castro during the season. Although Mejia struggled mightily over a limited sample last year, slashing .077/.143/.179 with one home run and two RBI over 42 plate appearances, he should compete for major-league playing time behind the dish as Mike Zunino also had a lackluster year in 2020.

DECEMBER 27, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Dropped from active roster Mejia was optioned by the Padres on Saturday.

Impact The Padres simply didn't need Mejia, as they acquired both Austin Nola and Jason Castro while he was out for a month with a bruised left thumb. Nola presumably lines up as the team's starting catcher heading into next season, but Castro will be a free agent, so Mejia could earn a bench spot next year. He won't necessarily have the job locked down, though, as he hit just .077/.143/.179 in 42 plate appearances this season, dragging his career line down to .225/.282/.386 in 362 trips to the plate. Eric Hosmer returned from a fractured finger in a corresponding move.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Lands on 10-day IL Mejia (thumb) was placed on the 10-day injured list Monday.

Impact Mejia was revealed to have a left thumb contusion Monday, and his placement on the injured list will give him extra time to recover while allowing the Padres to add depth at catcher on the 28-man roster. Luis Torrens was recalled in a corresponding move, but Austin Hedges should handle the majority of the duties behind the plate while Mejia is sidelined.

AUGUST 17, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with left thumb injury Mejia is dealing with a left thumb contusion Monday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Impact Mejia wasn't in the lineup for Sunday's contest, but he's apparently dealing with an injury. It's unclear when or how he suffered the injury, but the Padres currently only have one other catcher (Austin Hedges) on the active roster. Whether the injury will require a stay on the injured list remains to be seen, but allowing Mejia time to recover would let the Padres add catching depth while he's on the mend. The 24-year-old is off to a slow start this season, hitting just .079 with two extra-base hits, two RBI and nine strikeouts over 16 games.

AUGUST 17, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting out series finale Mejia is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Impact Mejia was behind the plate for the first two games of the series, going hitless across seven at-bats. Austin Hedges will check in for him at catcher, working in a battery with starting pitcher Garrett Richards.

AUGUST 16, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Heads to bench Mejia is not starting Thursday against the Dodgers.

Impact Mejia will head to the bench as Austin Hedges picks up the start at catcher in Thursday's series finale. Across 14 games this season, Mejia is slashing just .097/.176/.226 with one home run.

AUGUST 13, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Sits again Tuesday Mejia remains on the bench Tuesday against the Dodgers.

Impact Mejia and Austin Hedges, who gets the call behind the plate Tuesday, have now each been in the lineup nine times in the season's first 18 games. Mejia has just a .429 OPS this season, though that's still better than Hedges' .375 mark.

AUGUST 11, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Continues to split time Mejia will sit Monday against the Dodgers.

Impact Mejia has started nine times behind the plate this season compared to eight for Austin Hedges, who starts Sunday. The pair have alternated starts for eight straight games, so Mejia should have a good chance to return to action Tuesday.

AUGUST 10, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Belts first homer Mejia went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Sunday's victory over Arizona.

Impact Mejia was one of five Padres to go deep in the victory, staking the team to a nine-run lead with a two-run shot in the third inning. The long ball was a much-needed sign of life from the backstop position for San Diego -- Mejia is slashing .103/.188/.241 through 29 plate appearances this season while Austin Hedges is at .091/.091/.182.

AUGUST 10, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Heads to bench Mejia is not in the lineup Saturday against Saturday against the Diamondbacks.

Impact Mejia and Austin Hedges have come as close to an even split as possible behind the plate through the first 15 games of the year. Mejia has been in the lineup eight times, while Hedges, who starts Saturday, has gotten the nod on seven occasions.

AUGUST 8, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Takes breather Wednesday Mejia isn't starting Wednesday against the Dodgers.

Impact Mejia has seen the majority of the time behind the plate over the first several weeks of the season, but he'll get his second game off in the past three contests. Austin Hedges will be the starting catcher, batting eighth.

AUGUST 5, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Not starting Monday Mejia is not in the lineup Monday against the Dodgers.

Impact Mejia had started the past two games at catcher, going 1-for-6 with a double and two strikeouts over that span. However, Austin Hedges will start behind the plate Monday, batting eighth.

AUGUST 3, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Day off Wednesday Mejia is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game at San Francisco.

Impact Mejia started the past two games but remains hitless through four appearances. Austin Hedges receives the start behind the plate for the Friars on Wednesday.

JULY 29, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Sits Monday Hedges is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Impact Hedges had started both of the previous two days, so he'll just be getting a breather in the series finale while Francisco Mejia gets a turn behind the dish. The 27-year-old is still looking for his first hit of the season after going 0-for-8 with four strikeouts in the Padres' three games to date.

JULY 27, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting out Saturday Mejia isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Impact Mejia got the nod at catcher for the Padres' Opening Day contest, but he'll sit out after going 0-for-2 on Friday. Austin Hedges will start behind the plate Saturday, batting eighth. The two are expected to split time in some way this season, although their exact usage remains to be seen.

JULY 25, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Gets Opening Day nod Mejia started at catcher in Friday's win over Arizona, batting eighth in the lineup and going 0-for-2.

Impact The Padres have been mostly vague about how they will divide playing time behind the plate between Mejia and Austin Hedges this season, so the decision to give Mejia the Opening Day start shouldn't be over-analyzed. Still, Hedges caught most of Chris Paddack's starts last year, thus Mejia's presence in the lineup Friday comes as a bit of a surprise. For what it's worth, Hedges came into the game to play defense after Mejia was lifted for a pinch hitter in the seventh inning, and the team has yet to announce which of the backstops will be in the lineup for Saturday's contest.

JULY 24, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Velocity up Weathers sat at 95-97 mph with his fastball over two innings in an intrasquad game over the weekend, Kyle Glaser of Baseball America reports.

Impact Weathers sat in the low-90s and even dipped into the upper-80s at times late last season, so this is big news. The 20-year-old southpaw struck out Fernando Tatis and Francisco Mejia in the outing and manager Jayce Tingler came away very impressed. "He looked like he belonged," Tingler said. "He was on the attack. The stuff was really good and he didn't look intimidated (or) fazed by being under the lights facing a big-league lineup. He was very impressive." Weathers likely won't debut in the majors during this shortened season, but he already had good offspeed stuff and good command, so this newfound fastball velocity ups his dynasty-league stock.

JULY 15, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

FRANCISCO MEJÍA

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