Mike

Baxter

Baxter, a New York native, is hitting .341/.386/.366 through 20 games this spring. The 27-year-old will act as a backup outfielder and won’t hold any fantasy value.

No word on whether Duda is injured, but it’s a little odd he isn’t in the lineup against a right-hander. Mike Baxter will start in his place in right field.

He’ll likely be back to normal in the next day or two. Mike Baxter will start in his place against the ‘Stros.

Baxter, 27, batted .288 (16-for-56) with a double, six RBI and five stolen bases this spring. The Queens native will be a reserve outfielder for the Metropolitans.

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.

Bay landed hard after attempting to make a diving catch earlier in the game, so it’s possible he may have hurt himself. Mike Baxter took over in left field to begin the eighth inning. Stay tuned for an update on Bay’s status.

Bay is batting just .234 with a .302 on-base percentage through 53 plate appearances this season. Mike Baxter will start in left field against right-hander Tim Lincecum.

In turn, Mike Baxter is now expected to make the Opening Day roster. Loewen is batting .268 (11-for-41) with a homer and six walks this spring, so he hasn’t played all that badly, but he has also struck out 20 times.

He’ll also get a spring training invite. Baxter, 27, was non-tendered by the Mets earlier this week in order to clear a spot on the 40-man roster. The Queens native went 8-for-34 (.235) with one home run and four RBI in 22 games with New York in 2011. The Mets could make some more additions in the coming weeks, but Baxter is in good position to win a reserve outfielder job at the moment.

He couched that by saying Baxter’s return depends on New York’s alternate options. The Mets non-tendered Baxter on Monday. The 27-year-old went 8-for-34 (.235) with one home run and four RBI in 22 games with the Mets in 2011. The Queens native would have to settle for a minor league deal to return.