MIAMI — Brett Baty attempted baseball activities Saturday before determining he couldn’t perform.
Unless the Mets reach the playoffs and plunge deep into October, the third baseman’s season is definitively over after he was placed on the injured list with a right oblique injury.
Baty felt the initial discomfort a night earlier on a swing and was removed from the game. Baty has not yet received an MRI exam on the oblique.
The emotional discomfort might have run deeper than the physical.
“It hurts a lot,” Baty said, referring to his disappointment level. “But I am going to root on my teammates, and we’re going to try to go to the postseason.”
Baty indicated he’s never dealt with an oblique injury and wasn’t about to speculate on a time frame for potentially playing again.
The Mets recalled Jared Young from Triple-A Syracuse to provide a left-handed bat off the bench. Ronny Mauricio started at third base against the Marlins.
Baty, 25, had a solid season for the Mets, finishing with a .254/.313/.435 slash line with 18 homers and 50 RBIs in 130 games.
Baty also was the team’s best defensive option at third base while showing proficiency at second.
“You are looking at a guy that pretty much established himself in the everyday lineup,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “Whether it was third base, second base and what he was able to provide for us offensively, defensively, it’s a big blow.”
Mauricio, who replaced Baty at third base Friday, was starting his first game since Aug. 24.
“You have to give him credit because he’s working really hard,” Mendoza said. “One of the conversations that I had with him a couple of weeks ago was, ‘You never know what can happen fast.’ He will be ready to go.”
Following the Mets’ 5-0 victory over the Marlins, Mendoza tabbed Sean Manaea as the starter for Sunday’s regular-season finale.
David Peterson is available on normal rest to pitch, and presumably the left-hander would be an option from the bullpen if Manaea struggles early.
Manaea struggled in a start last Sunday against the Nationals and, three days later, had a rough relief appearance against the Cubs in which he allowed two earned runs over one inning.
Manaea has pitched to a 7.64 ERA in his five September appearances.
Mendoza said the only pitcher unavailable Saturday was Nolan McLean, who started Thursday’s game against the Cubs.
It’s likely Brandon Sproat, who threw 71 pitches Friday, also was unavailable.
Jose Siri and Richard Lovelady, both of whom were designated for assignment in recent days, were outrighted to Triple-A Syracuse.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
