Kirk

Nieuwenhuis

Nieuwenhuis, best known for his time with the Mets, batted just .214/.336/.336 with four homers over 80 games with the Mariners’ Triple-A affiliate last season before being released in August. The 31-year-old will attempt to showcase himself for another opportunity with a major league team.

Nieuwenhuis has been nursing an oblique strain over the past couple of weeks. With his ability to play center field, the 24-year-old should find his way to the majors at some point this year.

He’ll start in center field and bat eighth while Ruben Tejada hits leadoff. The promotion of Nieuwenhuis demonstrates just how bereft of depth the Mets are. He’ll likely serve in a platoon with Scott Hairston while Andres Torres (calf) is sidelined.

Nieuwenhuis batted .298 with six home runs and 14 RBI over 53 games last season for Buffalo before requiring surgery on a torn labrum. He could get a decent amount of playing time in center field while Andres Torres is sidelined.

The move over to left field is an expected one now that Andres Torres is back from the disabled list, but Mets manager Terry Collins apparently wants to keep the hot-hitting Nieuwenhuis in the leadoff spot for now. Torres will bat seventh Monday.

The move was announced before Sunday’s game, as was the return of Andres Torres from the disabled list on Monday. Nieuwenhuis had a stellar game offensively and defensively Sunday, continuing his hot start to the season. “Well, I’m going to talk to Andres, but right now I probably am,” Collins said when asked if he was dead set on Nieuwenhuis to left field. “I mean, he’s been playing center all the time. And I know Kirk has also. But we’ve got to mix and match our outfield and do it with what I think may be the best lineup.” Nieuwenhuis had never played left field prior to Sunday.

Torres has begun tossing a baseball at the team’s facility in Port St. Lucie, but it’s pretty clear he won’t be ready to return when he’s eligible on April 21. Kirk Nieuwenhuis and Scott Hairston will continue to split playing time in center field for now.

Torres is likely to spend a few days in the minors, but that he stole two bases is a sign that his calf is feeling good. The Mets will have an interesting decision to make once he’s ready, as rookie Kirk Nieuwhenhuis has played well during his absence.

Baxter will get the first start in left now that Jason Bay is on the disabled list with a non-displaced rib fracture. Scott Hairston should also see an uptick in playing time and Kirk Nieuwenhuis will also likely figure in once Andres Torres (calf) returns from the disabled list. Baxter is the least appealing option from a fantasy perspective.

Davis is batting just .136 (8-for-59) with 20 strikeouts so far this season, so Mets manager Terry Collins has decided to move him out of the middle of the lineup for the time being. Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Ruben Tejada, Daniel Murphy, David Wright and Lucas Duda will occupy the top five spots in the Mets’ batting order on Tuesday night against right-hander Josh Johnson.