Mejia has fired four scoreless outings in five appearances, registering three saves thus far. He's allowed one run on four hits while striking out six over 6.1 innings. The 29-year-old former closer is not on the 40-man roster, so the Red Sox are likely to shuttle other relievers to Boston if one is needed.

Manager Alex Cora mentioned Mejia as a possibility earlier in the week but confirmed he wouldn't make the team Saturday. With good results in the minors, Mejia could be up before long, as he owns a 3.68 ERA in 183.1 career innings.

Mejia is attempting to make a comeback after being reinstated from his lifetime ban for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs on multiple occasions. He hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2015 but has a strong 9:2 K:BB in seven innings this spring. Boston's closer situation is in flux, so almost any reliever who makes the team has a shot to earn saves, though Mejia will have to prove he's back and effective before truly becoming a part of that conversation.

Mejia entered to pitch the ninth inning, marking his first appearance on a major-league mound since 2015, after being banned from baseball due to three positive tests for performance-enhancing drugs. The one-time closer (28 saves in 2014) was reinstated over the summer and signed a minor-league deal with Boston, making him a long shot to break camp with the Red Sox.