Mejia in San Diego

The most interesting name to arrive in the major leagues on Tuesday was top prospect Francisco Mejia, who joined the Padres in Arizona and should get something close to regular playing time down the stretch as the out-of-contention Friars play out the string.

Mejia was acquired from the Indians back in mid-July as part of the Brad Hand and Adam Cimber trade, and he went on to post an impressive .328/.364/.582 batting line with seven home runs, eight doubles, and 23 RBI in 31 games at Triple-A El Paso. He primarily played catcher during his short stay in the Pacific Coast League, but the 22-year-old also has professional experience at third base and both corner outfield spots. He figures to split time behind the plate with Austin Hedges and get a start or two per week in either left or right field.

Baseball Prospectus ranked Mejia as the game’s No. 5 overall prospect leading into the year. He still has some things to work on defensively, but there is ready-made fantasy upside in his bat and he’s worth trying in deeper mixed fantasy leagues for the stretch run. There’s also a thought that San Diego might dangle Mejia in a trade for a starting pitcher this offseason, but that’s only more reason for the last-place Padres to showcase him as much as possible over their final 21 regular-season games.

Mejia did not start Tuesday night against the Diamondbacks and struck out as a pinch-hitter in the top of the sixth inning. But there should be some exciting offensive highlights to come.

Count on Calhoun?

Also getting the call from the minors on Tuesday was Rangers prospect Willie Calhoun.

The 23-year-old has batted just .272/.325/.379 with two home runs and 13 RBI over his first 114 major league plate appearances between the 2017 and 2018 campaigns, and he posted mostly underwhelming numbers during his time this season at Triple-A Round Rock.

But his past minor league production would indicate he’s capable of much more.

Calhoun batted .300 with a .927 OPS, 31 home runs, and 93 RBI in 128 games between the Triple-A affiliates of the Dodgers and Rangers in 2017, and he entered the spring of 2018 as a consensus top-50 prospect, with Baseball America ranking him the highest at 36th overall.

Texas acquired him from Los Angeles last July 31 as part of the Yu Darvish trade.

With the last-place Rangers headed toward a 90-loss season, they might as well see what they have here. Calhoun did not play in Tuesday night’s game against the Angels, but look for him to get a good amount of action in the corner outfield for what remains of the 2018 regular season.

Ross Ready for Return

Not much has gone right for the Nationals this season, but one positive as they head down the home stretch will be the return of 25-year-old right-hander Joe Ross, who has spent the last 14 months recovering from Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery.

Ross is due to make his first major league start since last July on Friday night against the Cubs. That’s not a great matchup for fantasy purposes, but there should be spots to use him over the next three-plus weeks.

Ross made his MLB debut in 2015 at age 22 and registered a 3.52 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 162/50 K/BB ratio over his first 181 2/3 big league innings before his elbow began barking in 2017.

The former top prospect put up a promising 2.39 ERA, 0.949 WHIP, and 19 strikeouts over 26 1/3 innings on his six-start minor league rehab assignment between four different Nationals affiliates.

The arrow is again pointing up for Ross, who was drafted 25th overall by the Padres back in 2011. San Diego traded him to Washington in December 2014 as part of a three-team, 11-player deal. Trea Turner was also part of the return for the Nationals in that big swap.

National League Quick Hits: Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said closer Bud Norris might not be available again until Friday … Maikel Franco is expected to undergo an MRI on his right hand and wrist in the next day or so … Kenley Jansen had an appointment with a cardiologist on Tuesday to discuss whether he should make the Dodgers' trip to Colorado this weekend … Robbie Ray struck out 10 batters over 6 1/3 scoreless innings Tuesday in a win over the Padres … Brandon Morrow (biceps) has yet to resume throwing off a mound … Ryan Howard officially announced his retirement on Tuesday … J.T. Realmuto homered twice and walked twice Tuesday against the Phillies … Joe Musgrove fanned eight while allowing two runs over 6 1/3 innings in the Pirates’ victory over the Reds on Tuesday … Miles Mikolas' next start was pushed back to Wednesday night against the Nationals … Anthony Rizzo suffered a contusion when he fouled a ball off his right foot Tuesday against the Brewers … Marcell Ozuna belted a pair of solo home runs Tuesday in the Cardinals' victory over the Nationals … Lorenzo Cain singled, walked four times, and scored twice against the Cubs on Tuesday … Jordan Hicks retired the only batter he faced to record a save Tuesday in Washington … Braves manager Brian Snitker said Dansby Swanson passed all tests after being hit in the helmet by a pitch during Tuesday's game … Marlins placed third baseman Martin Prado on the 60-day disabled list with a right abdominal strain … Gio Gonzalez will make his first start for the Brewers on Saturday against the Giants … Scooter Gennett popped a pair of solo home runs in the Reds' loss to the Pirates on Tuesday … Pirates manager Clint Hurdle told reporters on Tuesday that he was unsure if Elias Diaz (hamstring) will play again this season … Jarrod Dyson (groin) will be reevaluated after experiencing renewed discomfort during his rehab assignment … Drew Smyly (elbow) threw 23 pitches in a simulated game on Tuesday … Nationals manager Dave Martinez told reporters that Jefry Rodriguez will finish the season in the bullpen.

American League Quick Hits: Angels manager Mike Scioscia said Shohei Ohtani will throw a light bullpen session on Wednesday and a more intense one on Friday … Roberto Osuna's attorney Domenic Basile said Tuesday that he hopes to have his client's assault case resolved by the end of September … David Price (wrist) will indeed start Friday against the Astros … Jose Abreu (abdomen) is hoping to return to the White Sox active roster by the end of the week … Alex Bregman delivered three more doubles and knocked in two runs against the Twins on Tuesday … Chris Sale (shoulder) could be used as an "opener" at some point during the Red Sox’s homestand next week against the Blue Jays or Mets … Miguel Sano suffered a lower left leg bruise on Tuesday night against the Astros … Mike Clevinger fanned 10 and limited the Royals to one run in six innings to cruise to a victory Tuesday … Eddie Rosario (quad) ran on the field and took swings in the cage on Tuesday … Justin Verlander pitched seven innings of one-run ball and struck out eight in a victory over the Twins on Tuesday … Rays manager Kevin Cash said that Tommy Pham will likely sit out Wednesday's game due to a groin issue … Danny Duffy exited his start Tuesday night against the Indians due to a left shoulder impingement and said after the game that he expects to be shut down for the remainder of the season … Toronto will reportedly receive right-hander Julian Merryweather as the player to be named later in the Josh Donaldson trade … Ian Kennedy (oblique) could rejoin the Royals' rotation on Sunday against the Twins … Bartolo Colon (back) will start on Wednesday against the Angels … Sergio Romo retired the only two batters he faced to notch a save Tuesday in Toronto … Rick Porcello will receive some extended rest after his next start on Sunday against the Astros … Hunter Harvey (elbow) is expected to resume a throwing program next week … Dustin Pedroia will have his left knee examined on Friday in Boston … Brett Phillips suffered a right shoulder contusion in Tuesday night’s game against the Indians … Blue Jays placed right-hander Joe Biagini on the 10-day disabled list with a left oblique strain.