No team does a better job of utilizing the entire roster than the Tampa Bay Rays, who thrive on unselfish contributions by role players such as Francisco Mejía.
Less than 24 hours after his eighth-inning, pinch-hit sacrifice fly drove in the go-ahead run against Baltimore on opening day, the young catcher made his first start of the season and delivered again in Saturday’s 5-3 victory over the Orioles.
“I’ve learned to be ready at any time,” Mejía said through an interpreter.
The 26-year-old is in his second year with the Rays after spending parts of four seasons with Cleveland and the San Diego Padres.