Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Mets announced late Tuesday night that they’ve acquired Milwaukee Brewers outfielder and first baseman Billy McKinney in exchange for minor league left-handed pitcher Pedro Quintana.
Milwaukee designated McKinney for assignment on Saturday afternoon. In 40 games for the Brew Crew this season, McKinney hit .207/.260/.359 with three home runs, six run batted in, and nine runs scored.
McKinney provided a spark for Milwaukee’s lineup early on but a recent slump no longer merited him a roster spot with Christian Yelich set to return from the injured list. McKinney appeared in just two games during the pandemic shortened 2020 season.
He played 84 games for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2019, putting together a .215/.274/.422 slash line across 251 at-bats. McKinney, a first round draft pick and a former top-1o0 prospect, is still just 26-years old and could offer some power potential to this depleted Mets lineup.
The Mets were forced to make a move after it was announced postgame on Tuesday that backup, backup, backup, center fielder Johneshwy Fargas is week-to-week with an AC joint sprain. The injury does not require surgery but a move to the IL is imminent.
Quintana is a 5-foot-11-inch left-handed pitcher from Venezuela. Only 17 years old, the Mets signed him to a minor-league deal on January 15. He was assigned to DSL Mets1.
In a corresponding roster move, Jordan Yamamoto has been moved to the 60-day IL. The right-hander was placed on the injured list prior to Tuesday night’s game with what the team called right shoulder soreness, he now won’t be eligible to return until July 24 the earliest.
