CHICAGO — Jose Bautista has disappointed lately at the plate for the Mets, but that doesn’t preclude the veteran slugger from helping a playoff contender.
With an eye toward the Aug. 31 deadline to set rosters for postseason eligibility, the Phillies have claimed Bautista off waivers, an industry source confirmed, and have until Tuesday to work out a deal with the Mets.
Bautista went 0-for-3 with a walk in the Mets’ 7-4 loss at Wrigley Field, but declined to speak about the possible trade.
“I don’t want to assume anything yet,” Bautista said. “It would be out of place.”
Bautista entered play batting .207 with nine homers and 37 RBIs in 82 games since signing with the Mets in May, after he was released by the Braves.
The Mets considered dealing the 37-year-old Bautista at the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, but weren’t enthralled with the offers. But Bautista hasn’t enhanced his value in August, hitting only .163 with three homers and 13 RBIs for the month, entering Monday.
Even so, it’s understandable to manager Mickey Callaway why a playoff contender would want Bautista.
“The leadership that he brings, the quality at-bats and I feel he plays really solid defense at multiple positions,” Callaway said. “So I could definitely see why somebody would want to snatch him up and give him a chance on a contending team at this point.”
The Mets dealt Jeurys Familia and Asdrubal Cabrera — both of whom are free agents after this season — to the Athletics and Phillies, respectively, heading into the non-waiver trade deadline. The Mets tried to deal Devin Mesoraco last month, but interest in the veteran catcher never materialized.
Jeff McNeil went 0-for-1 in a pinch-hit at-bat Monday, a day after departing with right quadriceps tightness. Callaway indicated the rookie second baseman would likely return to the starting lineup Tuesday. McNeil entered play with an 11-game hitting streak, during which he was 19-for-40 (.475) at the plate.
The Mets plan to activate Brandon Nimmo from the disabled list before Tuesday’s game. Nimmo has been sidelined since Aug. 17 with a bruised left index finger.
David Peterson, the Mets’ top pick in the 2017 draft, pitched seven shutout innings for Single-A St. Lucie against Ft. Myers, in his most recent start on Sunday. The left-hander is 3-0 with a 0.75 ERA over his past four starts. Overall he has posted a 3.29 ERA split between Single-A Columbia and St. Lucie this season.