The Mets optioned Brett Baty to Triple-A Syracuse, as first reflected on the MLB.com transaction log. As expected, they also optioned catcher Hayden Senger. New York will activate Jeff McNeil and Francisco Alvarez from the 10-day IL before tomorrow’s game in Washington.
McNeil will bounce between second base, the corner outfield, and potentially see some time in center field. He’ll be in the lineup on most days. It would have been difficult to find regular playing time for Baty unless the Mets were willing to commit to McNeil as an everyday center fielder — a tall ask for a player with 16 MLB innings there. Mark Vientos is the everyday third baseman, while Jesse Winker starts at designated hitter against righty pitching.
Baty and Luisangel Acuña have split the second base work in McNeil’s absence. Acuña is a better fit off the bench. He’s a good athlete who can back up around the infield and potentially see some center field work. Acuña has also outhit Baty through the season’s first few weeks. He owns a .283/.356/.377 line in 59 plate appearances. Baty carries a .204/.246/.352 slash over 58 trips.
The lefty-hitting Baty had been getting into a better groove of late. He only collected three hits over his first eight games. He has eight knocks — four of which went for extra bases — over his most recent 27 at-bats. Still, it’s better for Baty to get everyday reps in the minors rather than play two or three times per week off the MLB bench. Assuming he spends at least 20 days in the minors, this will be Baty’s final option year.
Alvarez’s return pushes Luis Torrens to the backup catcher role. Acuña, Torrens, Starling Marte and fifth outfielder José Azocar comprise Carlos Mendoza’s bench.
