3:55pm: Mejía is expected to miss between three and six weeks, per Ackert.
1:20pm: The Rays announced that they have placed catcher Francisco Mejía on the 10-day injured list with a left knee MCL sprain, recalling fellow backstop René Pinto in a corresponding move.
Mejía, 27, departed yesterday’s game after apparently injuring himself on a play at the plate. Manager Kevin Cash later informed reporters, including Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times, that the catcher would undergo an MRI. It seems that the imaging found the sprain, which will keep Mejía out of action for at least 10 days. The Rays haven’t provided any further information about the specific length of time they’re expecting him to be out.
The Rays have been using a tandem of Mejía and Christian Bethancourt behind the plate this year. Mejía is hitting just .227/.258/.400 in 50 games for a wRC+ of 81 this year. He’s not considered an especially strong defender, having a grade of -4 Defensive Runs Saved this year while also getting negative marks for his framing both from FanGraphs and Baseball Prospectus.
All that being said, it’s still not a great development for the Rays. Pinto is the only other catcher on the 40-man roster, and he’s now been thrust up to the big leagues to join Bethancourt. He was placed on the minor league injured list on June 7, with Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times relaying that it was due to a bruised hand. He only just started rehabbing from that IL stint, appearing in two Complex League games in recent days. He’ll now have to quickly jump to the big leagues, where he has just 25 games of experience, hitting .213/.241/.325 last year.
Bethancourt is having a bit of a disappointing season as well, having hit .252/.283/.409 last year but dropping to .230/.254/.392 here in 2023. His defensive grades are stronger than Mejía’s but it’s been a relatively weaker position on a Rays club that’s strong overall. Midseason catching upgrades can be challenging since an incoming backstop has to learn an entirely new pitching staff on the fly, but the Rays might have to give it some thought. Even before Mejía’s sprain, it seemed like a part of the club that could be upgraded but perhaps now even more so, depending on the severity of the injury and how much time they expect him to miss.
The Rays dominated the American League East for much of the first half of the season but have slipped recently. They are now one game back of the Orioles, though they still hold the top Wild Card spot, 4.5 games ahead of the Blue Jays and Astros. That leaves them in position to be buyers ahead of the upcoming trade deadline, which is on August 1.
Rays fans: will they trade for a catcher?
Nope. It’s not an area of serious concern to them. Pitching, pitching, pitching, and pitching. Oh, and one more bat.
Why wouldnt the Rays want a catcher? Sure seems like thats a team need.
They’ve never had a catcher in the entire history of the organization. Dioner Navarro was an All-Star one season, half a season of Wilson Ramos aside. If *insert player here* is batting 9th, then I think they just want someone who knows the pitching staff.
Otherwise, I’d say kick the tires on Matt Thaiss from Anaheim, or that guy your Cardinals have who’s blocked by Willson Contreras’ contract
St. Louis: Can we interest you in a gently used, in like-new condition, Willson Contreras?
As Bizzy said. The Rays see the catcher as defense only, not even defense first. Really frustrating historically. @Bizzy don’t forget that glorious stint with Travis d’Arnaud that led to a 2019 playoff push and the start of this core group’s success since then.
Still have the original box he came in?
Gently used box. It has a water stain but also an original Kaybee Toys price sticker ($69.99) on the box. Not original batteries.
The Rays have never had a championship either. So there is a first time for everything.
Yes Herrera could be had for the right price. I don’t particularly want to trade with the Rays but hey I bet their GM picks up the phone.
From Kaybee Toys?! Sir, you have yourself a deal!
St. Louis: If only it was that easy…
Could get a veteran catcher as part of a package with a pitcher.
If they do, it’ll be a Bethancourt-type player just like last year. Zunino is a free agent, I can see them bringing him back into the fold. Definitely would be a defensive upgrade over Mejia.
However, like others have said, starting pitching depth is a must. They’re an injury away from having three starters and two bullpen days.
thought Pinto was still in rehab? did he get activated?
I heard he blew up when he was rear-ended at a stoplight
Cubs have Gomes or Barnhart ready for some postseason play.
The Rays just missed out on Sammy Hernandez .
I could see a Trade for knizer of the cards,he seems the odd man out
You can get Barnhart cheap from Cubs
If they want someone who can catch without concern for ability to hit, Austin Hedges can be had for the asking. Makes a lot of sense for both teams. Now that PIT is out of it, they don’t need him.
Not a bad idea
Not from what I saw as a Cleveland fan. TB would never put up with his defense.
I’m also a CLE fan, and I’m proud of the FO for letting him go and not looking back. The guy can’t hit – period – and his defense is overrated, but he’ll be the best defensive catcher TB has had in a while, all things considered, and I do have to choke out any kind of endorsement for him. Hated having him on the roster.
I’m sure the Rockies are offering Elias Diaz. Decent bat and throw out of 29%.
They have to be checking on Zunino. He’s a FA and he knows much of the staff. You heard it here first!
Absolutely makes sense.
I’d like to see what Blake Hunt can do. His numbers are decent. Not sure how he’s doing defensively this year, but he was one of the best catchers defensively earlier in the minors and he has a great arm.