The New York Mets announced that they have recalled RHP Chris Flexen and catcher Tomas Nido from Triple-A Las Vegas. They optioned LHP Buddy Baumann down to Vegas and designated Jose Lobaton for assignment.
The biggest news here is the Mets DFA’ing Lobaton. After the 33-year-olds strong spring training, he was unimpressive in the regular season. He hit .152/.250/.239 with three extra-base hits and three RBIs in 18 games. He was not particularly effective on defense either, culminating in his exit from the Mets.
Nido, 24, had not been much more effective offensively than Lobaton this year, but at least he has been good defensively. He’s hit just .135/.179/.162 in 17 MLB games this season, but .257/.333/.371 in Triple-A. With Kevin Plawecki nearing a return, Nido’s stay with the Major League team should be short.
Flexen has not pitched at the Major League level this season, spending his time at the Triple-A level where he has been very effective considering the hitter-friendly confines. He has appeared in eight games, starting seven, pitching to a 3-3 record with a 3.40 ERA and striking out 31 in 39.2 innings. He will probably just see time out of the bullpen as the Mets have other starting options before they would go to the 23-year-old.
Last but not least, the 30-year-old Baumann continues to rack up his air miles in 2018 as he’s sent down to Triple-A after one appearance at the MLB level. In that appearance he pitched two innings, striking out three but allowing three earned runs and a home run.
