SAN DIEGO -- Amid the most promising stretch of his young career, Francisco Mejía hit a painful snag in the Padres' 12-2 win on Saturday night.
The rookie catcher was removed with a right forearm contusion after being plunked in the elbow by a fastball from Cardinals righty Dakota Hudson in the bottom of the second inning. Mejia was examined by team trainers and permitted to run the bases. But when Mejia's turn came around again during the Padres' seven-run second inning, Austin Hedges was called for as a pinch-hitter.
Manager Andy Green said that X-rays on Mejia’s elbow and forearm came back negative. But he sustained swelling in the area and is unlikely to play in Sunday afternoon’s series finale.
“Hopefully it’s one day, and he’s right back in there,” Green said.
Mejia is hitting just .208 this season with a .635 OPS. But he's batting .304/.407/.609 since he was recalled from the Minors earlier this month. For the first time, Mejia had earned an extended run of starts, and he's been in the Padres' lineup in seven of the last nine games.
Righty reliever Robert Stock, who spent three pro seasons as a catcher before transitioning to the mound, was recalled on Saturday. He’s the team’s emergency catcher. But should Mejia’s injury linger, No. 16 prospect Austin Allen is the likeliest to take his spot.