New York Mets catcher, Travis d’Arnaud is said to be in danger of losing his starting job. Manager, Terry Collins has voiced his desire to continue to play the hot hand in Rene Rivera as the Mets enter the final stretch of the regular season.
“You play the hot hand,” Collins said. “We’re in a situation now where we’ve got to go with, at this time last year or maybe a little earlier, hey look: The guys that are producing runs are the guys who are going to get in there. That’s how we’re going to win.”
Rivera started for the second consecutive game, a rarity, especially in a day game after a night game. D’Arnaud has struggled mightily this season, offensively and defensively. It has been a year of regression for the once looked upon catcher of the future.
“I just have to keep working and play all the way until the end and strive for that ultimate goal to get to the playoffs,” d’Arnaud said. “The more important thing for me is we’re winning and in the playoff hunt.”
Over his last 15 games, d’Arnaud has hit to a .240/.321/.260 slash line to go along with no homers and just one RBI. D’Arnaud, who once seemed as someone who could drive the ball on a frequent basis, has found himself to be more of a singles hitter in 2016.
Overall on the season d’Arnaud has just four homers and 14 RBI in 229 at-bats. He has seemed lost at the plate at times, tinkering with a new batting stance that seems to have slowed his bat speed. In comparison, Rivera, has five homers and 24 RBI in just 155 at-bats.
With the team’s reported attempt of trying to acquire Jonathan Lucroy at this year’s trade deadline, it seems as though the organization has lost faith in their catcher. This may just be another step of slowly pushing d’Arnaud out the door.
