Recently Released Angels Player Already Finds New Home

The catcher is going back to a familiar team.

Francisco Mejía is reportedly headed back to the Tampa Bay Rays.

Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times posted on his Twitter/X account that the two parties agreed to a minor-league deal with a camp invite.

Hearing #Rays are working through final stages of re-signing C Francisco Mejia to a minor-league deal with a camp invite. Released last week by #Angels.
Doesn’t seem to change plan for Alex Jackson to be the backup to Pinto, but would add depth if an injury.

— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) February 29, 2024

The veteran catcher signed with the Angels in February and was released after one Cactus League game.

Angels general manager Perry Minasian told the Orange County Register the reasoning behind his release was because Mejia “wants to be in the big leagues. He’s been in the big leagues a long time. As currently constructed, it would have been very difficult to make this team, which was his goal.”

The Angels are set with Logan O'Hoppe behind the plate and are looking to go younger rather than waste time with veterans who won't get any playing time.

Mejía played for the Rays from 2021-23 and gives them a depth option behind that unproven tandem for the time being.

The 28-year-old has proven himself in the upper minor leagues but has yet to produce at the big league level. As a switch hitter, he has played for the Rays, Cleveland Guardians, and San Diego Padres organizations with a .239/.284/.394 slash in 1,098 plate appearances.