Mets DL Scott Hairston, Callup RHP Miguel Batista

METS SELECT THE CONTRACT OF RHP MIGUEL BATISTA

PLACE OUTFIELDER SCOTT HAIRSTON ON THE DL

The New York Mets today announced the team selected the contract of righthanded pitcher Miguel Batista from Buffalo (AAA) of the International League and placed outfielder Scott Hairston on the 15-Day Disabled List, retroactive to August 24, with a left oblique strain. Batista will #47.

Batista, 40, started the season with the St. Louis Cardinals, going 3-2 with a 4.60 ERA (15 earned runs/29.1 innings) in 26 games, one start. He signed with the Mets as a minor league free agent on July 4 and appeared in 10 games, eight starts for Buffalo (AAA) of the International League. He went 3-0 with a 4.24 ERA (22 earned runs/46.2 innings) and 36 strikeouts for the Bisons.

The native of Santo Domingo, DR has pitched for nine major league teams over 17 seasons. Batista made his major league debut in 1992 with Pittsburgh before stops in Florida, Chicago (NL), Montreal, Kansas City, Arizona, Toronto, Seattle, Washington and St. Louis. He owns a career record of 99-112 with a 4.51 ERA (938 earned runs/1873.0 innings) in 614 games, 239 starts. Batista is set to become one of three active major league pitchers to appear for 10 major league teams. Octavio Dotel (12) and Bruce Chen (10) are the others.

Hairston, 31, underwent a MRI at the Hospital For Special Surgery in Manhattan on Wednesday that revealed the strain. He is hitting .235 with seven home runs and 24 RBI in 79 games this season.

My Thoughts – I thought for sure that Chris Schwinden would get the nod here. Maybe they’re waiting to call him up on Monday when they would need him most.