Aranda doing his part to break camp with Rays

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Jonathan Aranda knows he’s competing for a spot on the Rays’ Opening Day roster this spring, an opportunity that could turn into more playing time as long as he keeps hitting the way he has over the last two years in Triple-A.

So far, so good.

“We like what we’ve seen from Aranda,” bench coach Rodney Linares said. “He came in stronger. He looks really confident. He’s taking really good at-bats.”

Aranda went 1-for-3 with a 93.7 mph RBI double to left field off Pirates starter Mitch Keller in the first inning of the Rays’ 12-8 loss to the Pirates on Friday afternoon at LECOM Park. He noted afterward that he recently began making a few tweaks to his swing mechanics, which are designed to address a flaw he found while batting .230/.340/.368 with 31 strikeouts in 103 plate appearances for Tampa Bay last season.

Aranda didn’t see a fastball in that at-bat but said he’s been working on an adjustment to help him better handle high heat. The 25-year-old was all over breaking balls and offspeed stuff when he was up with the Rays last season, but he hit just .152 with a .283 slugging percentage and 33.3% whiff rate against fastballs.

“It was the toughest pitch for me to catch up with last year, so I came with that mentality to be able to work on that and get better this year,” Aranda said via communications director Elvis Martinez. “Still working on it. I just started. I don't feel 100% at it, but we're working on it.”

The Rays believe Aranda will translate his Triple-A numbers into success at the plate in the Majors, and manager Kevin Cash said they’ve been pleased with the work he’s put in defensively after receiving direction from Linares and third base coach Brady Williams.

“I know I'm competing for a spot, making the team out of Spring Training,” Aranda said. “Baseball is a tough game. You have to be prepared to compete all the time.”

Mejía returns
A day after officially rejoining the Rays on a Minor League contract, Francisco Mejía reported to Charlotte Sports Park on Friday morning.

The switch-hitting catcher admitted the spring has been “a little crazy,” as he signed with the Angels, only to be granted his release a few weeks later, and then had to move back across the country from Arizona to Florida. But he’s pleased to be back with the Rays after playing for Tampa Bay the past three years.

“I feel comfortable here. I know the coaches, most of the teammates,” he said through Martinez. “It's a place that I know and I feel good about.”

Barring any further changes, the Rays are expected to open the season with René Pinto as their starting catcher and Alex Jackson as his backup. That could leave Mejía on the outside looking in, potentially in Triple-A, but he did not mind the idea of having to prove himself.

“I know nothing's guaranteed,” Mejía said. “I signed here because I know these people and the coaches, and I want to compete. Competing is a good thing, and we'll see what happens.”

Around the horn
• Left-hander Jacob Lopez got the start against Pittsburgh and struggled with his command, throwing only 18 of his 39 pitches for strikes as he allowed three runs on a hit and three walks while recording four outs.

• Each of the Rays’ next four pitchers -- Erasmo Ramírez, Mason Montgomery, Michael Gomez and Zac Houston -- allowed at least one run before Trevor Brigden finished the game with 1 1/3 clean innings.

• Amed Rosario started in right field and went 1-for-3. Harold Ramírez had two hits, including a 103.8 mph single. Curtis Mead also picked up two hits and an RBI.

• Cash said Isaac Paredes will “predominantly” play third base, although he could move to first or second in-game if needed and might occasionally spell Yandy Díaz at first. After splitting time between first, second and third in 2022, Paredes started 109 games at the hot corner last year while only making 10 starts at first and 11 at second.

Up next
Saturday will be a big day for former top prospect Brendan McKay. The left-hander is scheduled to start as the Rays host the Red Sox at Charlotte Sports Park, marking his first game appearance since Aug. 18, 2022. Having been set back by a series of injuries since his 2019 debut, McKay is back in camp as a non-roster invitee on a Minor League deal, looking to reestablish himself.

Lefty reliever Garrett Cleavinger, right-hander Manuel Rodríguez and prospects Colby White and Ian Seymour are also expected to pitch. First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m. The Rays radio team will call the game on WDAE 95.3 FM/620 AM.