d'Arnaud likely to fill in when Buck hits paternity list

PHOENIX -- John Buck and his wife, Brooke, have worn out the list of old wives' tales in an attempt to induce labor for the couple's third child. They have tried walking around Central Park for hours. They have tried eating spicy food. They have tried massages.

Nothing has worked, and so Buck traveled with the Mets to the West Coast this weekend, knowing he will turn around as soon as the baby arrives. Brooke's estimated due date was Aug. 1.

When the time comes, Buck plans to file for paternity leave, call a friend in Utah who owns a private plane, and hopefully head back east in style. The Mets, meanwhile, will almost certainly turn to No. 2 prospect Travis d'Arnaud, who -- thanks to a recent promotion -- is close by at Triple-A Las Vegas.

Sidelined for most of this season with a bone fracture in his foot, d'Arnaud should start regularly in Buck's absence, which can last up to three games. Then he will head back down to the Minors until September, when rosters expand.

Said manager Terry Collins: "If Travis d'Arnaud's here, he will be in the game."