To create roster space for J.D. Martinez, the Mets designated Zack Short for assignment before their 4-2 loss to the Cardinals on Friday.
“Tough one,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “Not an easy decision because obviously who Shorty is and what he’s done. He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do.”
Short made the team out of camp as a flexible, defensively stout defender without much of a track record of hitting.
He went 1-for-9 in 10 games with the Mets, primarily coming off the bench and essentially serving as a second Joey Wendle.
The Mets picked Wendle.
“Experience with Joey — he’s done it, been in this role a long time,” Mendoza said.
With Martinez eventually becoming the everyday designated hitter, Mendoza has asked DJ Stewart to stay ready defensively.
The two had a conversation in which the manager told Stewart, who has played two innings in the outfield this season and served as DH otherwise, to get work in left and right field.
Stewart also might become an option at first base, where the Mets don’t have much of a backup for Pete Alonso.
“There’s going to be [rest] days for [Starling] Marte, there’s going to be days for [Brandon] Nimmo,” Mendoza said. “In a blowout game, if I want to get Pete off his feet.”
Stewart’s primary job may become pinch-hitting. He replaced Harrison Bader in the ninth inning and struck out.
