Mejia goes on 10-day DL with left arm pain

Lefty exits Tuesday's game vs. Brewers in 4th inning

August 9th, 2017

MINNEAPOLIS -- Twins rookie left-hander left Tuesday's 11-4 win over the Brewers in the fourth inning with left lateral upper arm pain, and was placed on the 10-day disabled list after the game. Mejia will get an MRI on Wednesday, and a corresponding roster move will come before Wednesday's game in Milwaukee.
To replace Mejia on the 25-man roster, the Twins have recalled first baseman/designated hitter Kennys Vargas from Triple-A Rochester. In 50 games for the Twins this season, Vargas has hit .244 (43-for-176) with eight home runs and 30 RBIs.
Mejia was facing with a 2-1 count when he summoned Twins manager Paul Molitor and trainer Tony Leo to the mound. After a brief discussion, Mejia exited the field. Mejia's velocity dipped in the fourth, as his fastball ranged from 89-93 mph after sitting between 94-95 mph in previous innings.
"Obviously, he had some discomfort," manager Paul Molitor said. "I don't know the exact medical term, but it's where the biceps meets the triceps, which is probably better than a shoulder, elbow or forearm muscle that can tear. I think he tried to pitch through it, and a couple guys noticed it before I did, which isn't surprising."

Mejia said he first started feeling discomfort in the second, but tried to pitch through it before it got progressively worse.
"It was bothering my arm, and I couldn't help my team anymore," Mejia said through an interpreter. "It started bothering me in the second inning, and I didn't think it would be a big deal, but it's obvious it started to bother me."
Mejia left with two runners on base after allowing back-to-back singles to open the inning, with the Twins leading 2-1. entered and struck out Broxton, but gave up an RBI groundout to and a go-ahead RBI double to . Both runs were charged to Mejia.

Mejia went three-plus innings, allowing three runs on seven hits and a walk with three strikeouts. He has a 4.47 ERA through 18 starts this season.
Right-hander relieved Duffey and tossed four scoreless innings on 55 pitches for a save. Gee is a candidate to take Mejia's spot in the rotation, but the Twins could also decide to either activate left-hander or call up a prospect.
"[Gee's] had a couple nice outings," Molitor said. "It was good to see him come in and put up some clean innings. I thought he pitched well his first time, too. He has experience, so it's definitely an option."