New York Mets rookie third baseman Brett Baty is reported to undergo surgery on Thursday following a ligament injury.
An MRI scan showed a UCL tear in Baty’s right thumb, which he sustained while making a play at third base against the Colorado Rockies. The Mets announced Baty’s need for surgery on Wednesday just about 45 minutes before their game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The recovery period is said to take five weeks, which would happen as soon as the regular season ends.
Before the game on Wednesday, Mets manager Buck Showalter said Baty trying to see if he could play with the injury or not. He had been playing at third in place of Luis Guillorme, who was sidelined with a groin strain, and Eduardo Escobar, who returned from an oblique injury on Saturday.
For the time being, the Mets placed Baty on the 10-day injured list and have outfielder Terrence Gore from Triple-A Syracuse playing in his place.
Baty is the 12th pick in the 2019 amateur draft. He has hit .184/.244/.342 in 11 games with a .586 OPS. He recorded a home run in his first at-bat against the Atlanta Braves.
Baty has two home runs and five RBIs in 11 games throughout his time with the Mets so far. Previously, he was called on August 17 after six games at Syracuse since two third basemen got injured.
Searching for potential candidates
Since Gore has been promoted to fill Baty’s spot, the Mets reportedly will be using one of the empty spots to bring in another infielder.
“We’ve got some players that were traveling or didn’t travel among guys we were considering to call up tomorrow,” Showalter said. “We’ll obviously add two guys tomorrow. Billy and I were just getting ready to start that and finish it up.”
Since August 14, Gullorme has been swinging and taking ground balls for the past few days, although he hasn’t been able to run at full speed. Zach Braziller from The New York Post said this would be the last hurdle before Guillorme could appear in minor league games.
“It’s definitely feeling better,” Guillorme said. “It’s a matter of when I’m ready. …. We’re just checking all the boxes, making sure everything’s fine. There’s no point in rushing something for me to come back.”
He has appeared in 22 games at third base this season. Showalter said Guillorme ran the bases on Wednesday and could be admitted into a rehab assignment at either Class AA Binghamton or Class AAA Syracuse this weekend.
There have also been reports that the team’s No. 7 prospect Mark Vientos could be an option to play in Baty’s stead. Vientos has shifted from third base to first base as his primary position this season. He hit .283/.363/.531 with 23 home runs, 71 RBI, and 63 runs in Class AAA Syracuse.
However, according to reports, Vientos wouldn’t be considered for the call-up. Regardless, Showalter hoped that Vientos would return soon.
“Everybody’s a candidate, anybody on the roster,” Showalter said. “I would certainly look at some of the non-roster guys. We can make roster spots. We’re hoping (Vientos) finishes up strong down there and completes a pretty good season.”
Travis Blankenhorn, on the other hand, could be another option, although he would need to be included on the 40-man roster and is currently on the seven-day injured list.