Mets plan to play both Eduardo Escobar and Brett Baty
Eduardo Escobar of the Mets throws for an out during the ninth inning against the Reds at Citi Field on Aug. 9. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Instead of choosing between Eduardo Escobar and Brett Baty, the Mets are going with both — at least for now.
When Escobar returned from the injured list Saturday after being sidelined with a strained left oblique for close to two weeks, the Mets decided not to send Baty, their No. 2 prospect, back to the minors. Yolmer Sanchez, a journeyman utility infielder, was designated for assignment to clear roster space.
That positions Baty and Escobar, in some combination, to split time at third base.
“There’s a scenario where we try to take advantage of both of their skill sets,” manager Buck Showalter said.
That suggests a platoon, or something close to it, similar to the Mets’ arrangement with Luis Guillorme and Escobar before both got hurt.
In the case of Escobar and Baty, taking advantage of both of their skill sets would mean playing Escobar against lefthanders, such as Rockies starter Kyle Freeland on Saturday, when Escobar was in the lineup playing third and batting eighth.
Escobar entered with a .250 average, .286 OBP and .500 slugging percentage against southpaws this year, significantly better than his numbers against righties.
“It’s certainly something he was doing for us this year, and we think he can again,” Showalter said. “I think having his personality and his persona on the club, too, around — not that we weren’t able to go to work without it. But it’s always a good thing to have someone that means a lot to our team structure back.”
Escobar said: “It’s different when you play with [an injury]. You’re not the same guy. Now I’m healthy.”
In the minors, Baty held his own no matter which hand a pitcher threw with but was especially effective against righthanders (.319/.419/.539).
“We like what Brett is doing,” Showalter said.
Baty posted a slash line of .171/.237/.343 in his first 10 games in the majors.
“He’s doing well in the role that we have him in and what we need him to do, considering a lot of things,” Showalter said. “We think he’s got a chance to be an impactful player at some point in his career. It’s about now and tomorrow. So he’s doing fine. There’s a lot that’s been thrown at him. First time he’s played at this ballpark, first time he’s played on the road, first time he’s played at Yankee Stadium. There’s a lot of first times. The good ones soak it in and grow from it.”
The Mets will have another version of this conversation when Guillorme (strained left groin) returns. He has been participating in infield drills in recent days, less than two weeks removed from an injury that was expected to keep him out for 4-6 weeks.
“He might affect some of that down the road, I hope sooner than later,” Showalter said.
In the meantime, Escobar is the backup at shortstop, where he hasn’t played regularly since 2018, and second base.
“I’ve done it before,” he said. “I’ll be ready.”
Extra bases
Carlos Carrasco (strained left oblique) is scheduled to throw a simulated game on Monday, an off day for the Mets, at Citi Field, setting him up for what he said will be his return next weekend against the Nationals. Showalter bemoaned the lack of minor-league games every Monday . . . To make room for lefthander David Peterson, who started against Colorado, the Mets optioned lefthander Connor Grey to Triple-A Syracuse. Grey warmed up a couple of times but did not appear in a game.
Tim Healey is the Mets beat writer for Newsday. Born on Long Island and raised in Connecticut, Tim has previously worked for the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the Boston Globe and MLB.com. He is also the author of “Hometown Hardball,” a book about minor league baseball in the northeast.