Mets clear room for 6th-starter Gee, option Muno

SAN DIEGO -- To accommodate their new six-man rotation, the Mets will play with a short bench going forward.

Following Tuesday's 7-2 loss to the Padres, the Mets optioned infielder Danny Muno back to Triple-A Las Vegas and activated starter Dillon Gee, who will pitch Wednesday in San Diego. The move gives the Mets six starting pitchers, seven relievers and only four bench players: infielder Eric Campbell, catcher Anthony Recker and outfielders John Mayberry Jr. and Darrell Ceciliani.

Muno, 26, was hitless in nine at-bats during his second career big league stint, which lasted a little more than a week. Overall this season, he is 1-for-15, with the lone hit coming in his first career plate appearance.

The Mets could have spared Muno's roster spot and instead optioned Campbell, whose 0-for-23 stretch at the plate has dragged his average down to .179. Each were candidates at one point to replace injured third baseman David Wright, whose job has since gone to Ruben Tejada.

The Mets utilized a short bench frequently in April without many regrets, preferring the flexibility of an eight-man bullpen. This time, they are using it to extend their rotation from five to six.