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In one of the more shocking rosters moves of the season, the Mets have optioned Dominic Smith to Triple-A Syracuse.
Smith, who is just two seasons removed from finishing 13th in NL MVP voting, has an OPS+ of just 59 this season with no home runs and 14 runs batted in. After a rough 2021 that saw Smith only 11 home runs in 493 plate appearances, the sixth-year Met was hopeful for a bounce-back year surrounded by an improved lineup.
However, since a four-hit performance on May 1, the first baseman/designated hitter has just six total hits and has seen his playing time gradually reduced. The latest player to take playing time away from Smith is outfielder Nick Plummer, who has hit two home runs since being recalled to the big leagues last weekend and has quickly become a fan favorite.
Smith will get daily playing time in Syracuse as he looks to regain his 2020 form. The 26-year-old was involved in heavy trade rumors just before the season began kept a positive but firm attitude about his playing time. “Being here since I was 22, now I’m 26, and still in the same position. About to be 27. If there’s a team out there that wants me to play and wants to let me play, I would love to play every day. That’s just how I feel about that,” he told Newsday earlier this month.
In a corresponding move, the Mets recalled Adonis Medina from Syracuse. Medina has a 5.87 ERA in four relief outings for the Mets this season (7 2/3 innings). He last appeared for the Mets on May 21, when he allowed six hits, five runs, and a home run in a mere 1 1/3 innings in Colorado. With Syracuse in 2022, Medina has allowed five hits and two runs in nine innings. Of note, he has struck out nine batters in limited action at the Triple-A level this year.
The Mets will ride with a three-man bench for Tuesday’s game against the Nationals, leading one to believe Brandon Nimmo will not be required to land on the injured list.
