NEW YORK -- With Jose Bautista playing top-notch baseball and Wilmer Flores on fire, it is understandable that first baseman Dominic Smith has slid into a bench role for the Mets as of late. The 23-year-old, who is still developing according to Mets manager Mickey Callaway, will have opportunities in the coming days.
"In the next few days we have a doubleheader, so they're all going to be starting quite a few games," Callaway said. "Obviously, if we were going day-to-day, I think Dom is probably best served off the bench. But the way we're looking probably until the All-Star break, we're going to get Dom more playing time and more starts as well."
Smith was called up June 12 from Triple-A Las Vegas, where he was hitting .260 with 16 doubles, 25 RBIs and a .343 OBP in 56 games. Since being up, he is batting .218 with one home run and one RBI.
Being on Major League roster at 23 years old and not getting at bats is not an ideal situation. Callaway was persistent on the fact that Smith was still young and still developing, and it is hard when a player does not get a ton of at bats.
"I think this next week or so he's going to get plenty of starts and plenty of at bats and then we'll have to re-evaluate where we are after the All-Star break and see if we're in a spot where he's going to continue to get enough at bats where it's going to make sense, because he is still developing."
After the All-Star break, the Mets will evaluate the pitching matchups and how Bautista and Flores are feeling and adjust from there. Callaway noted that the two need rest at times when the team does not get an off-day.
"We'll check the schedule out, check the matchups and make sure Dom is getting enough at-bats if he is going to be here."