DJ Stewart isn’t exactly a prototypical hitter, but his unorthodox look certainly didn’t hurt the Mets on Sunday.
With Brandon Nimmo on the bench — at least initially — after leaving the previous game with intercostal irritation, manager Carlos Mendoza went with slugger Stewart in the leadoff for the series finale against the Braves.
Stewart reached base three times (two singles and a walk) in four plate appearances before Nimmo replaced him as the pinch runner in the seventh inning.
Nimmo’s two-run homer in the ninth off AJ Minter allowed the Mets to escape with a 4-3 victory at Citi Field.
Stewart took the lead early in spring practice – before Nimmo started playing in games – but hadn’t reached that spot before since his high school days.
“He’s a guy who’s going to control the strike zone,” Mendoza said before the game. “He gets on base and will do some damage. Just trying to mix things up with a lot of lefties.
Stewart entered the game with a .185/.372/.415 slash line with four homers and 16 RBIs in 65 at-bats this season. Mendoza said he was also considering Francisco Lindor, Starling Marte and Jeff McNeil for the position.
Shintaro Fujinami has been ruled out of Triple-A Syracuse due to a shoulder ailment.
The right-handed reliever appeared in nine games this season for Syracuse and pitched to a 14.09 ERA. Fujinami, who arrived this winter on a one-year contract worth $3.35 million, launched his latest offer on May 3.
Drew Smith is under consideration for a return from the injured list after appearing in his second rehab game Saturday for Syracuse.
The right-hander has spent the last three weeks recovering from right shoulder soreness.
“Everything is going in the right direction,” Mendoza said.
Reed Garrett struck out three in two innings of work.
The right-hander has 35 strikeouts to lead all MLB relievers.
His six games with three or more outs this season are the second most in the major leagues for a reliever behind Oakland’s Mason Miller (seven).
Max Kranick cleared waivers and was sent straight to Syracuse.
The right-hander was designated for assignment Monday.
The Mets entered play with a 2.80 ERA at home, which ranks them first in the National League and third in MLB.
New York Post
