Mets option No. 2 prospect Conforto to Triple-A
Outfielder was at Double-A Binghamton prior to promotion to Majors
NEW YORK -- With little free space on their revamped roster, the Mets optioned No. 2 prospect Michael Conforto back to the Minor Leagues on Saturday to make room for trade acquisition Yoenis Cespedes. Conforto will report to Triple-A Las Vegas, a level ahead of his prior assignment at Double-A Binghamton.
The Mets called Conforto up straight from Binghamton on July 24, starting him in left field. The next day, he went 4-for-4 with a walk, becoming the first player in franchise history to record four hits in one of his first two career games. But Conforto went 0-for-12 in four games after that, becoming the odd man out when the Mets acquired Cespedes.
The Mets' first-round Draft pick a year ago, Conforto hit .211 overall with a .664 OPS in six games. He began this season at Class A St. Lucie, batting .297 with 12 home runs and an .854 OPS in 91 games split between there and Binghamton, and remains a significant part of the Mets' future plans.
The team waited until approximately 40 minutes before game time to make Saturday's move because it was concerned about outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis, who was unavailable Thursday and Friday due to a pinched nerve in his neck/upper back area. But the issue "has been addressed," according to manager Terry Collins, freeing the Mets to option Conforto.