Jiman

Choi

Choi had a June 1 opt-out in his minor league contract with New York and wasn’t going to be summoned to the majors. The 33-year-old posted a .674 OPS with four homers in 26 games this season for Triple-A Syracuse.

Choi signed with the Mets as a non-roster invitee but couldn’t crack New York’s Opening Day roster. The veteran is hitting .182/.308/.333 across 14 Grapefruit League games could remain with the Mets or test the free-agent waters.

Choi is 5-for-14 with a homer as he attempts to beat out either DJ Stewart or Mark Vientos for a spot on the Mets. He had some impressive exit velocity numbers while mostly struggling in limited action for the Pirates and Padres last season, and it’s quite possible he’d prove to be a better DH option against righties than Stewart. Still, Stewart was a nice surprise last year and the Mets carried him on the 40-man all winter, making it unlikely that they’ll bail on him now.

Choi hit just .163 in 39 games last year, forcing him to settle for a minor league deal as a free agent, but his exit velocity numbers were the best of his career. He’s looking to overtake DJ Stewart and Mark Vientos to become the Mets’ top option at DH.

Choi will reportedly receive $3.5 million as part of a split contract, if he makes New York’s roster at any point this upcoming season. The 32-year-old first baseman posted a lackluster .624 OPS with six homers and 13 RBI in 117 plate appearances last year in an injury-plagued campaign split between the Pirates and Padres. He’s a long shot to unseat DJ Stewart and Mark Vientos for a spot on the Mets’ season-opening roster, but he could work his way into the club’s DH mix at some point.

Choi is expected to receive $3.5 million if he makes the team. The 32-year-old hit just .163/.239/.385 in 117 plate appearances for the Pirates and Padres last season, but he had the best exit-velocity numbers of his career in the process. He’s probably a better option than DJ Stewart as a left-handed DH for the Mets, although Stewart was the far more productive hitter last season.

The 32-year-old has made a remarkable comeback from a fractured ankle that he suffered in early September and after a couple of games on a minor league rehab assignment he’s ready to return and help out at the big league level. Since joining the Padres, Choi has yet to tally a hit — going 0-for-11 with a 5/3 K/BB ratio in 16 plate appearances.

Choi was originally thought to be done for the year due to a fractured ankle last week, but it turned out he actually had a lisfranc injury in his foot and he’s now trying to play through it. He’s gone 4-for-16 on his rehab assignment for a rib-cage strain suffered a month ago.

Choi, who was acquired last month from the Pirates at the trade deadline, was working his way back from a left rib strain and will miss the remainder of the 2023 campaign.

The 32-year-old is still looking for his first hit in a Padres uniform, as he’s 0-for-11 with three runs scored and a 3/5 K/BB ratio in 16 plate appearances since coming over from the Pirates. He’ll be shelved for at least a couple of weeks.