Jul
29
2012

Mets To Activate Mike Baxter and Option Kirk Nieuwenhuis To Buffalo

An article by Joe D

The Mets have announced that they will activate Mike Baxter from the disabled list tomorrow and option Kirk Nieuwenhuis to Triple-A Buffalo to make room for him.

This is the right move for the team as K-New has been completely overmatched at the plate after getting off to a hot start when the Mets called him up in April to replace an injured Adnres Torres.

Kirk was hitting .252 with seven homers and 28 RBIs in 282 at-bats, but had a team-high 98 strikeouts. Nieuwenhuis was only 9-for-his-last-73. His demotion comes just a week after the Mets demoted right fielder Lucas Duda to the Bisons.

Baxter has fully recovered from his shoulder and rib injuries and has been performing well during his rehab assignment in the minors. Baxter’s return could signal the end of Jason Bay as the everyday left fielder and we could see Baxter in a straight platoon with Bay riding the pine against right-handed pitching.

Whitestone Mike injured himself when he made an incredible catch and crashed into the wall to preserve Johan Santana’s no-hitter on June 1st. At the time, Baxter was batting .323 with a .915 OPS in 74 plate appearances.

Hopefully the addition of Baxter will add some spark to the offense and lift the team’s spirits which has visibly gotten bad in the past 7-10 days.

About the Author: Joe DeCaro

I'm a lifelong Mets fan who loves writing and talking about the Amazins' 24/7. From the Miracle in 1969 to the magic of 1986, and even the near misses in '73 and '00, I've experienced it all - the highs and the lows. I started Mets Merized Online in 2005 to feed my addiction. Follow me on Twitter @metsmerized.

7 Comments + Add Comment

Mr North Jersey July 29, 2012 at 8:30 pm

Sorry to see Kirk have to return to AAA. He will at least get steady everyday play and I expect him back up in September swinging a much better bat. Hang in there Kirk.
- mike lloyd July 29, 2012 at 8:44 pm
  
  Amen Mr. NJ…Get some pressure off, do some video work get your swing right. and get back soon Kirk.
Joey D. July 29, 2012 at 9:30 pm

Hi North and Mike,

Agree with you both. Feel bad for Kirk especially after the productive start he got off to, but rooting for him to come back strong after straightening himself out in Triple-A.

We’ll see you in roaming in the outfield again Kirk before you know it. As said, we’re all rooting for ya!
kymets July 30, 2012 at 12:00 am

yeah him and duda was completely ineffective and need to go down to work something out but they will comeback strong. Now we only have 1 unproductive bat in the lineup.
jdon July 30, 2012 at 12:02 pm

Kirk has to speed up his bat. Anything above the waist he is late on, and other teams know it.
jerseymet July 30, 2012 at 12:05 pm

Odd it took so long. Baxter and Loewen competed in spring training to be be Bay’s counterpart in a platoon. Too many DL days this year.
oleosmirf July 30, 2012 at 12:29 pm

you know you’re in a slump when Jason Bay outperforms you. Hopefully Kirk can figure himself out in AAA.

I just hope Sandy realizes what Kirk and Valdespin are and can maybe move them for other young players…

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