The Mets’ 2017 opening-day roster now has some reach across the league. With the club going through a sell-off during its dreary campaign, ex-Mets are spread out as they try to help their new teams with the playoffs around the corner. Here’s a look at how the former Mets are faring:
Jay Bruce: The veteran outfielder is making himself right at home with the Cleveland Indians, batting .375 in 11 games since being traded. He has smashed three home runs – including two in Friday’s win over the Royals – and driven in 12 runs while scoring 11 more with a 1.169 OPS. The 30-year-old even stole a base last week, his first swipe since July 24 of last year. It’s a far cry from how Bruce performed when the Mets acquired him last season, when he hit .219 in 50 games.
Lucas Duda: The first baseman got off to a hot start with the Rays, picking up a hit in each of his first five games and batting .323 with three home runs over his first 10 games. Since then, though, he has just five hits in his last 38 at-bats and is hitting .217 overall with the Rays as they fight an uphill battle in the AL East.
Curtis Granderson: A fan favorite in New York, Granderson may have endeared himself to a new fan base quickly when, in his second game with the Dodgers, on Sunday, he broke up Justin Verlander’s no-hitter in the sixth inning with a solo home run. That’s his only hit through two games with the best team in baseball.
Addison Reed: The reliever’s uniform changed but his team’s rival did not. Now with the Red Sox, Reed got stung by the Yankees in a series in The Bronx, where he allowed four runs without recording an out as he blew a 3-0 eighth-inning lead. He’s been in shutdown mode in four games since, though, tossing 4 1/3 innings and allowing one hit and two walks while striking out five.
Neil Walker: The second baseman has done nothing but hit since joining the Brewers. He has at least one hit in each of his first six games and is 9-for-20 overall. In the process, he has raised his batting average to a season-high .277.
Rene Rivera: The newest castoff – he was claimed off waivers by the Cubs on Saturday – made his first start at Wrigley on Sunday and went 1-for-3 with a run scored. The veteran backstop, who threw out 12 of 33 attempted base stealers with the Mets, did not get a chance to test out his arm in his Cubs debut.