MLB Player News

Mejia was called up by the Padres on Tuesday, Dennis Lin of The Athletic San Diego reports.

Mejia has played in 12 major-league games, going just 2-for-15. He hit .293/.338/.471 over 110 games at the Triple-A level with Columbus and El Paso this season, however. Assuming he can stick at catcher -- the Padres seem to have abandoned the Indians' experiment of converting him into an outfielder -- he has the potential to be one of the best-hitting backstops in the league, with an excellent feel for contact and average power. The Padres have a decent young catcher in the 26-year-old Austin Hedges, though Mejia has a higher offensive ceiling. The playing-time split between the pair down the stretch could offer insight into San Diego's plan for the future.

Hedges went 1-for-4 with two RBI on Monday against the Diamondbacks.

Hedges came through with a two-RBI double in the eighth inning to extend the Padres lead over the Diamondbacks. While he's managed only a .422 slugging percentage for the season, Hedges now has three extra-base hits and four RBI in the past week of action. Given the weak depth at catcher, the 26-year-old could be a key figure at the position as the season comes to a close.

Mesoraco left Monday's game against the Dodgers due to neck and back stiffness, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

It's unclear as to when exactly Mesoraco suffered the injury, but he's apparently dealing with both neck and back stiffness. He'll be listed as day-to-day until further evaluation. The 30-year-old went 1-for-2 prior to being removed from the ballgame.

Plawecki (personal) was reinstated from the paternity list Monday, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Plawecki is back with the Mets following the birth of his first son Sunday, though he'll give way to Devin Mesoraco behind the dish for Monday's series opener.

Mejia went 4-for-5 with a home run, three RBI and three runs for Triple-A El Paso in its 9-4 win over Tacoma on Sunday.

It was the second four-hit performance of the season for Mejia, who is slashing .322/.359/.576 with seven home runs, seven doubles and at triple across 128 plate appearances in the Pacific Coast League since coming over in a trade from the Indians. Mejia wasn't among the wave of players the Padres activated when rosters expanded Saturday, but he could earn a promotion once El Paso is eliminated from the PCL postseason.

Manager Clint Hurdle said Monday that Diaz (hamstring) is "not quite available yet," Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic Pittsburgh reports.

Diaz is set to miss a third straight game as he continues to nurse a hamstring injury he picked up against the Braves on Friday. Consider the backstop day-to-day. Francisco Cervelli is starting behind the dish Monday.

Contreras is not in the lineup for Monday's series opener against the Brewers.

Contreras will give way to Victor Caratini behind the dish after going 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in Sunday's win over the Phillies. Look for the backstop to rejoin the starting nine Tuesday.

Hedges is out of the lineup Sunday against the Rockies.

The backstop will get a routine maintenance day in the series finale after starting each of the Padres' last eight games at catcher. With Hedges on the bench, A.J. Ellis will work in a battery with rookie right-hander Jacob Nix.

Barnhart is out of the lineup Sunday against the Cardinals.

It's a routine day off for Barnhart after he was behind the plate for Friday and Saturday. Curt Casali will handle the catching duties for Cincinnati in the series finale.

Nido went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI in Saturday's win over the Giants.

Nido, who appeared in his third game since he was called up from Double-A Binghamton on Aug. 24, laced a Derek Holland offering over Austin Slater's head and plated Brandon Nimmo. With No. 1 backstop Kevin Plawecki on the paternity list this weekend, Nido, one of the Mets' possible options for the future behind the plate, might steal one more start from Devin Mesoraco before Plawecki's activation, which would bump Nido back down to the No. 3 role in the Mets' expanded roster.