PHOENIX — Brett Baty took his last demotion in stride, confident that it was more about the Mets roster construction than his performance.
“It was just a roster crunch and a lot of lefties on the bench,” Baty said Tuesday. “They didn’t know how many at-bats I was going to be able to get.”
He returned from Triple-A Syracuse on Monday as the roster replacement for Jesse Winker, who will miss the next six to eight weeks rehabbing an oblique strain.
For a second straight night, Baty was on the bench for a 5-1 loss to the Diamondbacks.
After a superb spring, Baty struggled early in the season with the Mets before emerging over seven games in which he produced at a 6-for-16 (.375) clip, including a homer in his final game before he was optioned on April 23.
The Mets used Baty’s roster spot for Jeff McNeil’s return from the IL.
“They just told me to go down there and keep doing what I had been doing the past couple of weeks,” Baty said. “Pick up where I left off.”
But his chances at Syracuse were limited by a big toe injury.
Baty said it occurred dragging the toe across the ground on an awkward swing.
Baty missed four games, but said he was available off the bench on Sunday.
“It’s always nice to get the call to go back to the big leagues, so I was excited,” Baty said.
Tyrone Taylor is receiving production from his bat to complement his elite defensive skills.
The veteran outfielder started a third straight game in center on Tuesday, going 0-for-3 after 2-for-3 days at the plate in each of his previous two games.
“There’s a lot to like about him,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “Number 1, he’s always prepared. He understands his role, whether he’s not playing or getting opportunities like he is right now. The defense is elite anywhere you put him in the outfield, and right now he’s giving us some pretty good at-bats.”
“I feel he’s more athletic now. He’s not missing pitches. He’s hitting line drives all over the field, so he’s a good player.”
Ronny Mauricio will be transferred from Class-A St. Lucie to Double-A Binghamton by the end of the week to continue his rehab assignment, according to Mendoza.
The infielder is rehabbing from multiple knee surgeries that cost him all of last season.
“He’s moving well, getting at-bats, that is good to see,” Mendoza said.
