DJ

Stewart

Stewart showed some flashes in New York over the last two years, but basically stopped hitting for power this past season, finishing with a lackluster .622 OPS with five homers in 194 plate appearances. The 30-year-old former first-round pick has never quite lived up to those expectations, but he’s managed to stick around in a bench role. It’s fair to wonder if there will be another opportunity out there for him heading into 2025.

Stewart was optioned to make room for Luisangel Acuna on the active. The Mets need another infielder with Jeff McNeil out for the season and Francisco Lindor dealing with a back issue. Stewart hit .177 with five home runs and 19 RBI for New York this year.

With any luck, this will prove minor. Eddy Alvarez replaced Lindor at shortstop tonight. If Lindor is going to miss time, the Mets will need to add an infield, perhaps again Pablo Reyes. It’d probably come at DJ Stewart’s expense.

Marte continues to be given days of rest since being taken off the injured list, and he’ll have another maintenance day against Toronto on Tuesday. DJ Stewart gets the start in left while Marte sits.

The Mets decided they wanted a left-handed bat more than another infielder on their bench with Jeff McNeil down. Stewart has hit just .175/.326/.299 in 190 plate appearances this season, but it does seem like he’s been rather unlucky in the process. His exit velocity numbers aren’t much different than when he hit .244/.333/.506 last year, and his strikeout rate is actually well down (30% to 24%).

Stewart heads back to the minors with veteran J.D. Martinez back from paternity list for Friday’s series opener against Cincinnati.

Stewart will take the place of J.D. Martinez, as Martinez is on the paternity list. Stewart should see time against right-handed pitching while he’s with the team, but likely will only be up for three days.

Stewart is sent down to make room for Jesse Winker after the Mets acquired Winker from the Nationals on Sunday morning. Stewart was getting decent playing time as a member of New York, but a 3-for-26 July has seen his season slash drop to .172/.326/.298. He could be back as a bench option at some point before the season ends.

The 30-year-old slugger had been playing fairly regularly against right-handed pitching, but this marks the second time in the past three games against opposing right-handers that Stewart has found himself on the bench for. The biggest beneficiary appears to be Jose Iglesias, who is seeing more action against right-handed pitching while Jeff McNeil shifts to the outfield.

Taylor remains in the lineup with the Mets facing another left-handed pitcher in MacKenzie Gore. After the injury to Starling Marte, the Mets have gone with a platoon in right field that features Taylor against lefties and DJ Stewart against righties. That’s unlikely to change unless the Mets make a move at the trade deadline.