GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Francisco Mejia looked right at home in Major League camp with the Indians this spring. That impressed manager Terry Francona, especially considering the catching prospect topped out at Class A Lynchburg last season.
On Wednesday, the Indians optioned Mejia to Double-A Akron, giving him an opportunity to garner regular at-bats and innings behind the plate now that Minor League games have started. Francona was thrilled with how Mejia -- ranked second among the Tribe's Top 30 prospects, per MLBPipeline.com -- made the most of his time in big league camp.
• Spring Training info
"I thought the time here was really good for him," Francona said. "He got to be with [first-base coach and catching instructor Sandy Alomar Jr.] for a month. He got to catch some of the Major League pitchers. I think he knows that his skills, although he has some developing to do, that it can translate into helping a Major League team."

In 102 games between Class A Lake County and Lynchburg last season, the 21-year-old Mejia hit a combined .342 with 11 home runs, 29 doubles, 63 runs scored, 80 RBIs and an .896 OPS. His batting average was the fifth-highest in all of the Minor Leagues, and the 50-game hitting streak he compiled from May 27-Aug. 13 was tied for the fourth-longest in Minor League history.
Mejia, who was named to the World roster in the All-Star Futures Game last summer, went 8-for-19 with a .421/.450/.789 slash line in 11 Cactus League games this spring.
"He wasn't giving any ground," Francona said. "We tell the young guys all the time, 'There's a way to be respectful of the veterans and things like that. But, when the game starts, or you get on the field, you don't back down from anybody. This is the way you want to make your living. And, if somebody can't keep up with you, maybe they can't keep up.' He did a good job of that."
Worth noting
• The Indians are playing exhibition games against the Rangers in San Antonio, Texas, on Friday and Saturday. Pitchers tentatively making the trip include: Danny Salazar, Boone Logan, Adam Plutko, Shawn Armstrong, Chris Narveson, Ryan Merritt, Mike Clevinger, Kyle Crockett, Tyler Olson, Louis Head, Cameron Hill and Cole Sulser.
Position players tentatively traveling include: Erik Kratz, Guillermo Quiroz, Jeremy Lucas, Michael Martinez, Jose Ramirez, Chris Colabello, Eric Stamets, Yu-Cheng Chang, Yhoxian Medina, Willi Castro, Wily Pena, Greg Allen, Abraham Almonte, Lonnie Chisenhall, Brandon Guyer, Daniel Robertson, Dorssys Paulino, Taylor Murphy and Todd Isaacs.
• Righty Carlos Carrasco told Francona and pitching coach Mickey Callaway that his arm was feeling much better on Wednesday, following an MRI Tuesday that revealed some swelling, but no structural damage in his right elbow. The Indians are still working through the details of Carrasco's upcoming throwing program, which will include a bullpen session before he makes another start.

• Minor League first baseman Nellie Rodriguez was reassigned to Minor League camp on Wednesday morning. Rodriguez is currently rehabbing a sprained right ankle.
• Dr. Keith Meister is scheduled to be in Goodyear, Ariz., on Friday to meet with both pitcher Cody Anderson (right elbow) and second baseman Jason Kipnis (right shoulder).