LONDON — Brett Baty’s parting message from Mets officials before he returned to Triple-A Syracuse last week included mention of his receiving games at second base.
So far it has only been pregame work at second, Baty said Friday following his return to the Mets as the 27th player afforded to each team for the London Series.
But it could be another indication of Jeff McNeil’s standing in the organization.
McNeil was on the bench for the Mets’ last three games (all against left-handed starters in Washington) and could face a similar fate Saturday with the Phillies scheduled to start Ranger Suarez.
“It’s been a while since [McNeil] played, but he’s a professional,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “He continues to work and continues to care and he will be ready when his name is called. I just think mentally he wants to do better because he cares and he wants to contribute and it’s been hard for him. … We need Jeff McNeil to be Jeff McNeil and I am pretty confident that he will get there.”
Jose Iglesias has provided a boost with his right-handed bat as the starter at second base the last three games in McNeil’s spot.
The veteran Iglesias owns an .865 OPS overall in five games.
It has been a struggle for McNeil, whose last plate appearance came in Sunday’s loss to the Diamondbacks.
Overall, he’s slashed .227/.296/.320 with three homers and 14 RBIs.
Baty, who was displaced at third base by Mark Vientos, has appeared in two games for Syracuse and hit two homers.
He had just arrived in St. Paul, Minn., on Monday when he received word that the Mets would be taking him to London.
Baty returned to New York for his passport and then joined the Mets in Washington before they boarded their charter to fly across the pond late Wednesday night.
“When you are in this business, you are kind of just ready for anything,” Baty said.
Baty recounted the conversation he had with president of baseball operations David Stearns and Mendoza last week before he was optioned to Syracuse.
“Just that, ‘We’re going to send you down and it’s not permanent, and you are going to get some reps at second,’ “Baty said.
Baty said he likes the plan.
“I love defensive versatility and I have always loved it,” he said. “I played all different positions in high school and I love moving all around the field.”
