The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Mejia called up for short stint
Top prospect Francisco Mejia returned to the Indians’ roster July 14. He started at designated hitter and hit sixth against the Yankees.
Mejia went 0-for-2 with two walks in his first plate appearances of 2018.
Indians manager Terry Francona said the Indians made the move to keep Mejia active during the TripleA All-Star break and add an extra hitter to their roster for the final two games before the major-league AllStar break. Mejia will be available to pinch-hit July 15 then will return to the Clippers.
Mejia’s call-up marks his second stint with the Indians this season. He was called up for a day June 11 but did not play against the White Sox in Chicago.
Mejia was named to the International League AllStar team and the MLB Futures Game. Mejia will not participate in the Futures Game after his addition to the Indians roster.
The 23-year-old native of the Dominican Republic hit .455 for the Clippers in June after a slow start. Mejia is batting .279 with seven home runs, 21 doubles and 43 RBI in 77 games for the Clippers.
Mejia has worked in the outfield this season, where the Indians see more opportunity for his bat to contribute at the major-league level.
“He views himself as a catcher and he is a catcher,” Francona said. “We’re trying to explain to him ‘we have outfield needs, and we think you’re a really advanced hitter. If you can play the outfield good enough, you can come play in the major leagues. That doesn’t mean you can’t catch at some point.’ ”
Through a translator, Mejia said he was aware of the move last night and that his work in the outfield is “going really fine, right now.” Mejia has started 39 games at catcher and 24 in the outfield for the Clippers. Regarding the added opportunity in the outfield, Mejia said he was unaware of that message but is trying to do the best he can at the position.
Right-handed pitcher Shane Bieber was optioned to Triple-A Columbus in a corresponding move. Bieber is 5-1 with a 3.53 ERA and Francona said the assignment will allow him to throw during the 10 days between his outing July 13 against the Yankees and his next potential start.
“‘ If you can play the outfield good enough, you can come play in the major leagues. That doesn’t mean you can’t catch at some point.’ ” — Terry Francona, on the Indians’ discussions with Francisco Mejia on being promoted