Kirk Nieuwenhuis is a former Mets player for the second time in 2015.
The 28-year outfielder was claimed off waivers by the Brewers on Wednesday, as the Mets cleared roster space for Alejandro De Aza, whose signing with the team became official.
Nieuwenhuis began the season with the Mets, but was sold to the Angels in May. Three weeks later, the Angels placed him on waivers and he was claimed by the Mets.
In 64 games for the Mets last season, Nieuwenhuis hit .208 with four homers and 13 RBIs. He was the team’s fifth outfielder late in the season and during the playoffs, but the Mets are expected to now pursue a low-cost righty bat for that role. Michael Cuddyer’s recent retirement left the Mets in need of a righty bat that can give Curtis Granderson or Lucas Duda an occasional break against lefties.
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As it stands, Granderson, Michael Conforto and the De Aza/Juan Lagares combination will take the vast majority of at-bats among the outfielders.
De Aza’s one-year deal with the Mets is worth $5.75 million. The contract also has incentives worth another $1.25 million based on plate appearances.
In another club transaction, catcher Johnny Monell was outrighted to Triple-A Las Vegas.
Pitcher Jose Martinez, a 21-year-old right-hander, was banned 60 games after testing positive for metabolites of stanozolol. He was 3-0 with a 4.10 ERA this year for the Dominican Summer League Mets and the Gulf Coast League Mets.
There have been 108 suspensions this year under the minor league drug program.
— With AP