Brian

Dozier

Dozier spent a little bit of time with the Mets in 2020 but went 2-for-15 (.133) in seven games before getting released in late August. The 33-year-old infielder officially wraps up his nine-year major league career having posted a lifetime .244/.325/.441 batting line with 1,055 hits, 192 home runs, and 105 stolen bases.

Dozier was designated for assignment last weekend and is now free to pursue an opportunity elsewhere. The 33-year-old went 2-for-15 (.133) during his brief stay with the Mets.

Dozier provided some depth while Robinson Cano was out, but there’s not a need for him now that Cano is back. He’ll clear waivers but might elect free agency.

Cano suffered the injury on Monday night against the Braves, after going 2-for-2 with three RBI and a walk before his departure. The veteran second baseman will now be sidelined for an extended period -- likely into September. Brian Dozier is filling in at second base on Tuesday night against the Nationals.

Cano was 2-for-2 with three RBI and a walk before getting replaced at second base by Brian Dozier. The Mets were up 7-1 on Atlanta at the time of Cano’s removal, so perhaps it was somewhat precautionary.

Dozier inked a minor league deal with the Mets last week after getting released from the Padres during summer camp. The 33-year-old infielder will presumably serve mostly a bench player for New York, though he is starting at second base on Thursday night with the Red Sox throwing left-hander Martin Perez.

Dozier was not included in the Padres’ player pool for summer camp and eventually got released on July 11. He can be a backup option at second base for the Mets whenever he’s ready for live games. The 33-year-old slashed .238/.340/.430 with 20 home runs and 50 RBI in 135 games last season with the Nationals.

No one is exactly sure what Dozier’s status is after he wasn’t included on the Padres’ 60-man pool. If he wants a job, he’d still make plenty of sense as a stopgap second baseman. He hit .238/.340/.411 with 20 homers in 482 plate appearances for the Nationals last season.

It was a surprise when the Padres’ player pool excluded Dozier and Juan Lagares, both of whom originally seemed like good bets to secure bench spots this spring. There hasn’t been any word on whether Dozier is looking to catch on elsewhere or if he’s going to sit out the season.

Dozier just signed with the Padres last week and has already appeared in three Cactus League games. He is in camp on a non-guaranteed minor league contract but should be able to carve out a spot on the Opening Day roster in San Diego as a backup option to Jurickson Profar at second base. And if Profar struggles, Dozier might begin to see regular starts.