Yesterday, after the team recalled Lucas Duda from Triple-A Las Vegas and optioned outfielder Mike Baxter back to the minors, the former everyday left fielder for the Mets was all smiles.
“Anytime you’re in the big leagues everything is good,” Duda said. “I wasn’t hitting too good in my rehab assignment, so it is what it is. I’m just glad to be back. I’m glad to be here and a part of the team. I’ll play anywhere.”
Duda had to be recalled by 8/26 to avoid burning his final option and forcing the team to keep him up all of 2014.
Terry Collins talked about his new role with the team and said that Duda will serve primarily as the backup first baseman and a lefthanded bat off the bench.
“I’m not probably going to disrupt what’s going on in the outfield right now,” said Collins.
Duda may serve as the designated hitter when the Mets play the Cleveland Indians during their next road trip.
He was hitting .306 with a homer and 14 RBI in 16 games with the 51s before his callup.
(Updated 8/25)
