The Mets have activated Kelly Johnson and optioned Ty Kelly to Triple-A Las Vegas. Johnson will wear uniform No. 55.
Original Report
Utility infielder and outfielder Kelly Johnson., who the Mets traded for on Wednesday, will be joining the team in Milwaukee tonight for the second game of their four-game series with the Brewers.
The Mets traded Double-A pitching prospect Akeel Morris to the Braves in exchange for Johnson and received cash back in the deal.
Johnson, 34, was batting .215 with a ..273 OBP and 526 OPS in 132 plate appearances with the Braves. He batted .250 for the Mets last season in 49 games.
“Bringing a guy like Kelly back in, who we’ve had success with in the past, his versatility and experience will give Terry another guy to plug into the lineup from time to time,” Assistant GM John Ricco said.
“Pretty happy to be able to bring him back. He was part of the team that went to the World Series last year, and we hope we can help get us there again.”
“Even though he’s not having a great year this year, he’s a guy we kept our eye on because of the versatility and the fact that we know him and his veteran presence.”
Manager Terry Collins applauded the deal for Johnson.
“Kelly is a great fit,” Collins said. “He’s a great clubhouse guy. Brings some energy, some personality to the clubhouse and just glad to have him back. That veteran presence in the clubhouse is huge.”
“I think it shows the players, ‘Hey look, we’re not going to stand pat.’ I think it’s important that guys know that. You saw last year, when we made the [Johnson-Uribe] deal, the entire environment in the clubhouse changed and the way we played on the field changed.”
The Mets have yet to announce who they’ll cut to make room for Johnson, but it’s safe to say Ty Kelly will likely stay on and Matt Reynolds will be optioned back to Triple-A.
