Tim

Locastro

With Manny Machado likely to start the season as the team’s designated hitter, Batten was in the conversation to play some third base early in the season. That will apparently not be happening. The same goes for prospect Jakob Marsee who was battling with Graham Pauley and Jackson Merrill for an outfield opportunity. Perhaps he’ll get another shot during the season.

A very late signing, Locastro nonetheless has a real chance of making the Padres and seeing significant playing time early on. He’s still one of the league’s speedier players, though unless one is in a rare HBP league, the steals are the only thing he has potential to offer in fantasy.

The 31-year-old has become a fourth outfielder with speed and plus defense. Last season with the Mets, he played in 41 games, registering a .731 OPS with two homers and six steals in just 67 plate appearances. The Padres have a lack of outfield depth after trading Juan Soto and Trent Grisham to the Yankees, so Locastro could compete with prospects Jackson Merrill and Grant Pauley for the final outfield spot on the MLB roster.

Locastro will head to free agency in short order after being jettisoned from New York’s 40-man roster. The 31-year-old speedster got into 41 games this past season for the Mets, compiling a respectable .731 OPS with two homers and six steals in just 67 plate appearances.

McNeil will take a seat for the second straight day in the series finale against the Marlins. So far, there is no indication that this is anything other than rest days for the 31-year-old. Tim Locastro will get the start in left field instead.

Stewart will sit out his second straight contest on Thursday evening due to left wrist soreness. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for now. It’ll be Jeff McNeil in right field and Tim Locastro in left field in his absence.

This will be just his eighth start out of the cleanup spot this season, as he has primarily hit second or third. With Lindor hitting fourth, Mets manager Buck Showalter is giving the speedy Tim Locastro a shot out of the No. 2 spot Friday against left-hander Zack Thompson. Also of note Friday is that Brandon Nimmo will DH and Rafael Ortega will play center field.

Locastro hit a ball 416 feet off John King, which is a new career long for him. While Locastro is thought of as more of a slap hitter, he now has eight homers in 566 career plate appearances, which isn’t too bad. Still, tonight’s homer was just the second ball he’s ever hit 400 feet. He’s 1-for-12 with four steals in 17 games this season.

The 31-year-old speedster is active and in uniform for the nightcap of Saturday’s doubleheader against the Braves. Prior to landing on the injured list in mid-May, Locastro had gone 0-for-7 with three runs scored and four stolen bases in 11 games with the Mets. He’ll be utilized primarily as a pinch-runner and defensive replacement.

Locastro has been on the shelf since mid-April after requiring surgery to repair a UCL sprain in his right thumb during a minor league rehab assignment. The 31-year-old outfielder will either be activated prior to the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader or on Sunday.