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Mets designate Ankiel, will call up Nieuwenhuis

NEW YORK -- Rick Ankiel has been designated for assignment by New York after going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in the Mets' 2-1 loss to the Marlins on Saturday. Kirk Nieuwenhuis, who's batting .232 with Triple-A Las Vegas this season, will replace the outfielder.

Ankiel came in as a pinch hitter and defensive replacement in the Mets' 20-inning marathon and failed to record a hit as New York's offense faltered in extra innings. He's batting.188 this season (24-for-128), just .098 (8-for-82) since debuting with New York on May 2 and only had two hits in his last 35 at-bats.

He played 21 games with the Astros this season before joining the Mets and has struck out 60 times this season.

Nieuwenhuis has struggled at Triple-A, even in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, but he has hit 10 home runs and batted .252 in 91 games with New York last season. He was just 2-of-16 in 13 Major League games this year.

David Wilson is an associate reporter for MLB.com.
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