Green optimistic Mejia could return in 2019

PHOENIX -- Padres catcher Francisco Mejia continues to make strides in his recovery from a right oblique strain, while manager Andy Green remains optimistic that Mejia will play again before the end of the season.

Before Wednesday’s series finale vs. the D-backs, Mejia played catch up to 90 feet and participated in catching and receiving and agility drills.

“He’s progressing, feeling better,” Green said. “He didn’t feel the oblique [bothering him] at all today.”

Mejia went on the 10-day injured list last Friday, and he’s getting closer to swinging a bat. That will help to determine whether the catcher will return to the Padres this season.

“If he can do that and doesn’t have any issues, it’ll be a quick progression,” Green said. “If he stalls out anywhere along the line, it’s probably going to be tough to get back by the end of the year, in that case. We’re trying to move through it relatively quickly. If he checks the box every day, we’ll keep moving. If we have to push pause, it might mean the end of the season. But everything’s been really positive up to this point in time.”

In his first full season in the Padres’ organization, Mejia is batting .263/.315/.439 with eight homers and 20 RBIs in 70 games for San Diego.

More injury updates

• Left-hander Adrian Morejon (left shoulder impingement) will not pitch again this season, Green announced Wednesday. The Padres’ No. 6 prospect per MLB Pipeline has been on the IL since Aug. 8.

Green said that Morejon is throwing and “working on mechanical stuff in his arm, making sure it’s healthy,” but the southpaw won’t progress quickly enough to return to the club. Morejon posted a 10.13 ERA in five games (two starts) for San Diego in his first stint in the big leagues.

• Right-hander Garrett Richards (Tommy John surgery) pitched four scoreless innings for Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore in the Storm’s opening playoff matchup against Rancho Cucamonga on Wednesday night. It was Richards’ second rehab appearance since he resumed throwing a little more than three weeks ago.

Richards allowed two hits and a walk while striking out five. He threw 53 pitches, 33 of which were strikes.

“He’s inching closer to making a start with us,” Green said before the game.

• Right-hander Jacob Nix (right UCL strain) will start Double-A Amarillo’s second playoff game against Midland on Thursday.

Nix has been on the injured list all season, and this will be his seventh rehab start since July 26. His last two outings came with Triple-A El Paso, which did not make the Pacific Coast League playoffs.