PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Francisco Mejia says he's focusing on his defense, but his offense hasn't suffered at all.

Mejia hit a three-run homer off Texas' Mike Minor on Thursday. The...

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Indians avoided salary arbitration with new catcher Kevin Plawecki, who agreed to a one-year contract for $1,137,500.

Plawecki was acquired Sunday from the New York Mets. He made $557,471 last season, when he batted .201 with seven homers and a career-high 30 RBIs.

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Indians have replenished their bare catching cupboard.

After trading top prospect Francisco Mejia and All-Star catcher Yan Gomes last year, the Indians had a void behind the plate and filled it Sunday by acquiring catcher Kevin Plawecki in a trade with the New York Mets.

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Rookie Francisco Mejia is quickly giving the downtrodden San Diego Padres a hopeful glimpse of the future.

The 22-year-old hit his first grand slam with two outs in the ninth inning and the rebuilding Padres rallied to beat the Texas Rangers 7-3 Sunday to avoid a three-game sweep in a matchup of last-place teams.

It was the first walkoff for Mejia, who was promoted from Triple-A on Sept. 4. The prized catching prospect has hit three homers since then.

CINCINNATI (AP) — Francisco Mejia felt nervous in the early innings of his first game behind the plate for the Padres. All he needed was one swing to settle in.

Mejia hit a solo homer and a three-run shot during his first start as the team's up-and-coming catcher on Thursday night, leading San Diego to a 6-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — All-Star closer Brad Hand kept hearing his name in trade talk last year, when the lefty ended up staying with the San Diego Padres and got a new contract during the offseason.

This time, Hand has switched teams and could have a bit of a different role than the one he had in the National League.

SAN DIEGO (AP) — With an eye on October and beyond, the AL Central-leading Cleveland Indians scooped up All-Star closer Brad Hand and fellow reliever Adam Cimber from the rebuilding San Diego Padres in exchange for switch-hitting catching prospect Francisco Mejia.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Francisco Mejia's name keeps popping up in trade rumors. On Saturday, it was in Cleveland's lineup.

The Indians recalled their top prospect from Triple-A Columbus amid speculation about him being part of potential deals before the July 31 trading deadline. Mejia will bat sixth and serve as Cleveland's designated hitter for Saturday's game against the New York Yankees.

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Mets prospect Peter Alonso and Cleveland's Francisco Mejia are among the top minor leaguers selected for the 20th annual Futures Game.

The teams announced Friday include 15 former first-round draft picks for the game July 15 at Nationals Park.

The Dominican Republic leads the world roster with nine players. Missing is Toronto's top prospect, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who's out with a strained left knee.

CHICAGO (AP) — Cleveland Indians star reliever Andrew Miller is just about ready to start facing live batters.

Manager Terry Francona says the two-time All-Star had his "best" bullpen session Monday since he was placed on the 10-day disabled list in late May because of inflammation in his left knee. He will likely throw another one Wednesday and could start facing some hitters once the team opens a nine-game homestand on Friday.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A top Cleveland Indians prospect is suing a company he claims gave him $360,000 in exchange for a 10 percent stake in his future earnings that could amount to millions of dollars.

Catcher Francisco Mejia claims in a federal lawsuit filed in February that the agreement is unfair and unenforceable, and that he didn't understand the extent to which he was mortgaging his future when he signed the contracts to get the money.