Mets activate Barajas, demote Martinez
Catcher Rod Barajas was activated from the disabled list, which could mean less playing time for Josh Thole. Credit: Christopher Pasatieri
HOUSTON - Fernando Martinez and his .167 batting average were shipped back to Triple-A Buffalo last night as the Mets made room for catcher Rod Barajas, who was activated off the disabled list.
Barajas had been out since July 25 with an oblique strain. Manager Jerry Manuel inserted the righthanded hitter into the lineup, hoping Barajas can go on a homer-hitting binge the way he did earlier in the season.
"Hopefully we can get a little something from him," Manuel said. "It would be a great boost to our offense. If he does go on one of those binges, you can bet he'll be playing the majority of the time."
Manuel said Martinez, 21, needs to make adjustments on breaking pitches. He was supposed to get the bulk of the playing time in rightfield when he was called up Aug. 8, but with the offense struggling, he didn't hit enough for that plan to work.
"We haven't hit enough to kind of let them evolve," Manuel said of Martinez and Ruben Tejada, who snapped an 0-for-28 streak Wednesday. "It's difficult to run them out there when you're not scoring runs."
Martinez should be back when the rosters expand Sept. 1. He lost playing time when Manuel restored Jeff Francoeur, who has walked four times in the last two games, to regular status.
Francoeur went into last Thursday night with two hits in his last 20 at-bats, but at least he's taking more pitches. He walked four times in the previous two games.
"There's been a lot of conversations with Frenchy, trying to get him to see pitches and get deep into counts," Manuel said. "Gives him an opportunity later on to put together good at-bats. I think he is beginning to be convinced of that himself."
Beltran rests
Carlos Beltran did not start after playing all 14 innings Wednesday. His last day off was Aug. 10. Angel Pagan started in center with Chris Carter in left.
