The Mets have optioned infielder Brett Baty to Triple-A Syracuse to make room for the return of Jeff McNeil, who is ready to go after recovering from a strained oblique.
For a fourth straight season, Baty struggled with his chance to cut it in the majors after a strong spring training, which prompted the Mets to platoon him with Luisangel Acuna at second after McNeil went down in spring training.
The 25-year-old batted .095 with a .238 OPS in his first 10 games of the season, but did put together a strong run to provide a moment of pause for manager Carlos Mendoza and president of baseball operations David Stearns.
In his last 11 games, Baty batted .273 with an .818 OPS and hit his first home run of the season in Wednesday’s 4-3 extra-inning win over the Philadelphia Phillies — a monster 425-foot two-run shot in the second inning.
He was deemed more expendable than Acuna, though, who is batting .361 with five stolen bases over his last 13 games. The 23-year-old can play second base and shortstop, and could even factor into an uncertain center field platoon that has to be finalized after Jose Siri went down with a broken leg that will keep him out for eight to 10 weeks.
Tyrone Taylor will get a bulk of the starts, and left fielder Brandon Nimmo could slot over as the next best option, but McNeil got reps in center during his rehab assignment, and Acuna has been doing pregame work at the position, as well.
Jose Azocar, who can play all three outfield positions, is also sticking around with the big-league club for now.
After recovering from hand surgery, the Mets also recalled catcher Francisco Alvarez from his rehab assignment. Hayden Senger was optioned to Triple-A.
