As baseball returns to the United Kingdom for the second consecutive season, the Mets are getting ready for a two-game series with divisional rival Philadelphia Phillies.
With the transatlantic travel, both squads can carry a 27th man on the roster, and the Mets have chosen to bring a former top prospect.
Brett Baty is temporarily returning to the Mets’ roster
After Mets manager Carlos Mendoza narrowed the potential options to two, Brett Baty ultimately got the call over Joe Hudson.
Baty, who was optioned back to Triple-A Syracuse on May 31, will be ineligible to stay on the roster after the London series because optioned players need to spend at least 15 days in the minor leagues before being recalled unless someone on the roster gets injured.
After starting the year scorching hot, the 24-year-old struggled before being sent down, going three for 23 in his final stretch while slashing .225/.304/.325 across 49 games overall with four home runs and 16 RBIs.
While Baty’s primary focus in this series will be providing the blue and orange with a left-handed bat off the bench, the Texas native will have a new focus when he returns to Triple-A.
Baty to get reps at second base
When Baty returns to Syracuse, the 24-year-old has been instructed to take reps at second base and eventually play the position in some games.
The Texas native took grounders at second during batting practice toward the end of his previous stint with the blue and orange out of necessity due to the Mets not having a backup middle infielder, but now the change of position has to do with long-term reasons.
Since returning to the major leagues, Mark Vientos has hit the cover off the ball, and with his recent defensive improvements, the Connecticut native could potentially be the squad’s third baseman for the long haul.
Despite potentially losing the chance to play his primary position at the big league level, Baty seems to be excited about the opportunity to try a new position.
“I love defensive versatility,” Baty said. “I’ve always loved it. I played a lot of different positions in high school, and I love moving all around the field. It’s cool. It’s just like a different game from other points of view. Any way I can help the team.”
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Time will tell if Baty adapts to the position, but with Jeff McNeil currently in a platoon with Jose Iglesias, playing second could be the 24-year-old’s fastest route back to the major leagues.