Mets send rising Brett Baty down to minors as Jeff McNeil returns
Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets.Brett Baty made the decision as difficult as he could.He apparently did not do enough, though, to make the end result any different.The Mets are making the most logical move in optioning the infielder back to Triple-A Syracuse, The Post confirmed Thursday, with Jeff McNeil set to join the roster beginning Friday in Washington.Removing Baty from the roster means Luisangel Acuña, who has played excellent defense up the middle, who could become an option in center field and who has begun to hit, will remain in the majors.
So will José Azócar, a 28-year-old who can patrol each outfield spot, is 3-for-7 thus far and could not be optioned without being exposed to waivers.Baty could be optioned and so he was, despite a strong finishing kick to his latest run in the major leagues.A toolsy former first-round pick, Baty had not hit at the major league level in 2023 or 2024, then did not hit to begin this season.
But in his past eight games, he has hit .304, earned a .993 OPS and drilled two doubles, a triple and a loud home run.His last major league game for a while will be remembered for Baty demolishing a two-run shot off Phillies ace Zack Wheeler on Wednesday.It wasn’t enough because Baty would not have a clear role on a team with McNeil, who also is a lefty hitter and will play most days as he returns from an oblique strain.
The Mets wanted to keep Azócar, who has experience in center field (helpful in light of Jose Siri’s injury), and Acuña still can find a niche on a team with McNeil.The righty hitter can serve as a complement to McNeil, or he could move back to the outfield.Regardless, he has been a valuable late-inning base runner and leads the Mets with six steals.Which means the Mets are sending down a 25-year-old who finally might have been figuring out major league pitching.
On Wednesday, Baty felt encouraged by his...