Ruben Tejada will get his shot to try to bolster offense
The New York Mets' Ruben Tejada rounds second after hitting a solo home run off Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Antonio Bastardo in the eighth inning of a game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, May 23, 2015. Credit: AP / Gene J. Puskar
For now, the Mets appear unlikely to make a trade to bolster an offense that continues to scuffle in the absence of third baseman David Wright.
However, manager Terry Collins will make one short-term adjustment in hopes of stemming the tide.
Reserve infielder Ruben Tejada will start at third base Sunday in place of Eric Campbell, who is hitless in his last 19 at-bats in his second attempt to fill in for Wright.
Campbell's average dropped to .188, but he's hardly the only problem with an offense that has struck out 22 times in two games.
"When you've got home run hitters, strikeouts, you just nod your head and say OK," Collins said after Saturday's 8-2 loss to the Pirates. "We've got guys who should be living and dying putting the ball in play, and we're not making contact."
Tejada hit a solo shot in the eighth. Campbell went 0-for-4, including a double play that squashed a promising rally in the fourth.
Campbell supplanted Wright when he went to the DL on April 15, then struggled and eventually was demoted.
Dilson Herrera was called up and moved to second, with Daniel Murphy sliding over to third. But Herrera suffered a broken finger, sending him to the disabled list.
With the roster already stretched thin by injuries -- the Mets have sent 13 players to the disabled list since spring training -- they have few other choices in the short term.
The club has had discussions about promoting infielder Matt Reynolds from Triple-A Las Vegas. But after a scorching start -- he hit .317 with two homers and 21 RBIs in April -- he has hit .247 with no homers and five RBIs in May.
Still, assistant general manager John Ricco left open the possibility that the Mets will discuss alternatives when the club returns to New York on Monday.
Extra bases
Travis d'Arnaud (fractured finger) is on pace to begin a minor-league rehab assignment next week . . . Relievers Bobby Parnell and Vic Black have moved their rehab assignments to Double-A Binghamton. . . . The Mets continue to explore a trade for outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis, designated for assignment on Tuesday.
