Mets add 3rd catcher Monell, option Campbell
NEW YORK -- The Mets optioned third baseman Eric Campbell to Triple-A Las Vegas to make room for catcher Johnny Monell, the team announced Tuesday.
Monell, 29, gives New York a third catcher on the roster and another left-handed option off the bench, along with the struggling Kirk Nieuwenhuis. Monell was hitting .397 with four homers for Las Vegas. The Bronx native's only other Major League experience came in 2013 with the San Francisco Giants. Monell hit .125 in eight games.
Cesar Puello was shifted to the 60-day disabled list to make room for Monell on the 40-man roster.
"He brings some options," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "He got off to a good start in Vegas. He gives us another left-handed hat off the bench which, when Danny Muno was here, was a nice feature to have. It gives us a chance if something needs to be done -- either a pinch-hitter or a pinch-runner -- for the catcher."
Campbell was promoted after David Wright suffered a strained hamstring April 15 and faded after a hot start. Last week's recalling of Dilson Herrera to play second base shifted Daniel Murphy to third, essentially pushing Campbell to the bench.
Campbell scored eight runs and drove in four during his first eight games as Wright's replacement. His lone home run came off C.C. Sabathia in the Mets' 8-2 win April 25 at Yankee Stadium. But like most of the Mets' hitters, Campbell struggled of late, hitting .100 in his last 20 at-bats.
"It wasn't easy sending Campbell down," Collins said. "This guy was a big piece of the 11-in-a-row [win streak]. But we thought it was important to get a left-handed bat on our bench. I told Eric, 'Do what you've done in the past. Go back, tear it up.'"
Monell's presence could also free up backup catcher Anthony Recker for pinch-hitting duties, giving the Mets another right-handed power bat off the bench, along with John Mayberry Jr.
Collins said the decision to demote Campbell, not Nieuwenhuis, was made easier by the outfielder's lack of remaining options.