Vance

Wilson

Wilson is expected back this week with Jason Phillips slated for paternity leave.

Swinging a bat is painful for Wilson at the time being.

Wilson started yesterday, marking his first at-bats in 17 days. On days Piazza isn’t catching, manager Art Howe has preferred to move Jason Phillips behind the plate and go with Tony Clark at first base.

Wilson served notice that he is ready to return to the majors as he started behind the plate and went 2-for-4 with a homer last night at Triple-A Norfolk. The Mets are likely going to place Tom Wilson on waivers, for the second time this season, to create the roster spot needed for Vance.

With the shift of Mike Piazza to first base, Wilson becomes the beneficiary of more playing time. He won’t hit enough to be much more than a second catcher in NL only leagues, but he does have a little bit of power, as evidenced by his 8 HR in 268 at-bats last year.

''For this last stretch of the season, however many, I would like to do a better job than I did the first 100 games or whatever, try to keep him more what a backup normally gets to play,’' Trammell said.

It seems that every Met will take a turn at first base except Piazza. This could land a Wilson a few more ABs later in the summer, but his value, of course, is as a catcher.

Ivan Rodriguez gets the night off.

Locking up their backup catch through age 35. Wilson is hitting .273/.295/.438 this season and is at .248/.301/.375 in 929 career at-bats. He is a plus defender and that probably won’t change over the life of the deal. This one isn’t going to matter much.

Wilson had been scheduled to give Ivan Rodriguez a breather. He’s day-to-day.