Rob

Johnson

The Mets looked into the possibility, but appear prepared to stick it out with either Mike Nickeas or Rob Johnson as Josh Thole’s backup. Castro, who played with the Mets from 2005 to May of 2009, batted .235/.307/.456 with four homers and 10 RBI over 75 plate appearances with the White Sox last season before breaking his right hand in July.

He’ll presumably be added to the active roster if Josh Thole (head) is placed on the seven-day disabled list for concussions. Johnson is hitting .291 over his first 15 games with Triple-A Buffalo, but he’s a .197/.275/.297 hitter over 733 plate appearances in the big leagues. Mike Nickeas should get most of the playing time behind the plate while Thole is sidelined.

Johnson will function as a backup to Mike Nickeas while starting catcher Josh Thole recovers from a concussion. Johnson is a .197/.275/.297 career hitter in the bigs.

He’ll take a seat against the left-hander Cliff Lee. Vinny Rottino will make the start in left field while Rob Johnson starts behind the plate and Justin Turner plays shortstop. The Mets might be praying for rain right now.

Mike Puma of the New York Post was told by a Mets’ source that the club hasn’t ruled out signing Rodriguez at some point, but Rubin was told my multiple sources that such a move is unlikely. Instead, the club appears content going with either Mike Nickeas or Rob Johnson as Josh Thole’s primary backup.

The deal includes a spring training invite. Johnson, 29, batted just .190/.259/.285 with three homers and 16 RBI over 199 plate appearances with the Padres this past season. The light-hitting backstop will try to make the Opening Day roster as a backup to Josh Thole.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster. Johnson has a torn ligament in his left thumb is done for the season.

Johnson has hit .313/.371/.344 in 35 plate appearances this season in the major leagues. He will serve as the Mets’ backup catcher behind starter Josh Thole.

Thole landed on the 7-day disabled list earlier this month after suffering a concussion in a home plate collision with Phillies’ infielder Ty Wigginton. Mets manager Terry Collins is hoping he’ll be ready to catch an inning in extended spring training on Friday. We wouldn’t count on his return next week.

He was sent down in order to make room for the newly-acquired Kelly Shoppach on the active roster. Johnson is hitting .250 (13-for-52) in 17 games with the Mets this season and should be back in September.