Mets Notebook: Brett Baty ready for second shot in big leagues

LOS ANGELES — Brett Baty knew that his next major league call-up would be out of his control. Throughout spring training, the Mets’ third base prospect tried to remind himself that all he could do was go out there and try to make the club’s decision as tough as possible.

Baty finally got that second call Monday when the Mets promoted him from Triple-A Syracuse. He controlled what he could control and he excelled so much in Triple-A that the Mets had to give him a shot.

“Like I said all spring training, it wasn’t my decision and I just kind of had to roll with it,” Baty said Monday at Dodger Stadium. “I was grateful for the opportunity to go down there and play with those guys and then grateful for this opportunity to come up here.”

Baty forced the club’s hand by crushing the ball and playing excellent defense in Triple-A.

“I’ve always gone into every single day just trying to be the most consistent player that I can be,” he said. “When I did go down there, I was just focused on hitting the ball hard and playing good defense and it worked out down there. Now I’m here.”

The Mets said they brought Baty to Los Angeles ahead of their series against the Dodgers to take the place of outfielder Tim Locasto, who went on the injured list with back spasms Monday. It’s a convenient narrative and it protects Eduardo Escobar, but the explanation doesn’t quite add up since Locastro didn’t experience back issues until after Sunday’s game in Oakland. By then, Baty was on his way to California.

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The Mets are trying to stand by their struggling veteran third baseman. They have been careful about how they have presented him and for good reason: Escobar is a well-liked and well-respected figure in the clubhouse.

The 34-year-old has acted as a mentor of sorts to Baty and has lauded his performance in spring training and in Triple-A. Baty earned this call-up by slashing .400/.500/.886 with a 1.386 OPS with two doubles and five home runs.

Meanwhile, Escobar is hitting just .125 entering Monday’s game. The Mets have struggled to get production from the bottom of the order with Escobar, Daniel Vogelbach and Francisco Alvarez all struggling at the plate.

“Brett was a real good option for us,” manager Buck Showalter said. “I don’t know how you can do much more than he’s done for us down there to present himself as such.”

Showalter still plans to use Escobar as a bat off the bench and he will likely see time at third base against left-handed pitchers. Baty will get some games against left-handed pitching as well. The club doesn’t think they need to shelter the 23-year-old Austin, Texas native, but they would like to make sure they put him in a position to be successful and utilize Escobar in a way that is beneficial for all involved.

Showalter said he still sees Escobar as “a bat.”

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“He’ll continue to get some starts, but we’ll see how Baty does,” Showalter said.

Baty is much more comfortable this time around. After playing 11 games in the big leagues last season, the shock factor has gone away.

“I think this time it’s going to be a lot different because I know exactly what to expect now,” Baty said. “I got a little taste last year. I’m comfortable with now. The guys, I’ve been around them for a couple years now. So there’s just a little bit more comfort to it and I feel good right now.”

Justin Verlander (teres major strain) will throw another bullpen Tuesday in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Should he come through without any pain, he will throw live batting practice before making a rehab start, which would be the final step in his rehab.

Max Scherzer threw Sunday and Monday and is still expected to make his Wednesday start.

Tommy Hunter (back spasms) is expected to come off the injured list Wednesday and re-join the Mets’ bullpen.

In addition to calling up Baty, the Mets also selected right-hander Edwin Uceta from Triple-A Syracuse and optioned Jose Butto, who made a spot start Sunday in Oakland.