Baty's season likely over after broken finger in Triple-A
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SAN DIEGO -- Brett Baty’s rocky season came to perhaps its conclusion on Sunday, when the Mets announced he has a broken left index finger and will miss four to six weeks. Anything other than the most optimistic end of that recovery timeline will end Baty’s regular season.
The Mets’ first-round Draft pick in 2019 and their second-ranked prospect from 2022-23, Baty made the Mets' Opening Day roster but struggled to gain a foothold, posting a slash line of .229/.306/.327 with four home runs in 50 games. The Mets demoted him to Triple-A Syracuse to make way for Mark Vientos, who has since entrenched himself as their starting third baseman.
At Triple-A, Baty slashed .262/.358/.528 and hit 16 homers in 58 games. He was likely to be a September callup prior to his injury.
“It’s a big blow,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said, “especially where we’re at in the season. His name was one of the names probably in contention for September. Now we’ve just got to get him back healthy, however long that is. But it’s a big blow for him and a big blow for us.”
It's unclear what the future holds for Baty, who remains under team contractual control for five more seasons. The Mets discussed him with rival clubs in Trade Deadline talks, according to sources, but did not come close to dealing him. They could rekindle trade talks this winter if they don't feel there's a place for Baty on the active roster.
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His situation will depend at least in part on Pete Alonso, who could leave the Mets as a free agent this offseason. If Alonso stays, the Mets will be able to use Vientos only at third base or designated hitter going forward, diminishing opportunities for Baty. The organization did have Baty spend some of his time at Triple-A playing second base for the first time in his professional career, but it’s unlikely Mets officials would be comfortable having him play there in a full-time role as soon as early next season.
Overall, Baty has slashed .215/.282/.325 with 15 homers in 169 career Major League games.