New York Mets News: Kirk Nieuwenhuis Claimed Off Waivers

By Kenneth Teape | Jun 13, 2015

New York Mets News: Mets Welcome Back Friendly Face Claiming Kirk Nieuwenhuis Off Waivers

The New York Mets welcomed back a familiar face Saturday afternoon, as Kirk Nieuwenhuis was claimed by the Mets off waivers. Nieuwenhuis was traded by the Mets on May 27th to the Los Angeles Angels for cash considerations, but returns to the Mets after the Angels released him.

Nieuwenhuis struggled mightily with the Mets this season before he was traded to the Angles. He started the season hitting a putrid .079, going 3-38 at the plate before being designated for assignment on May 17th. With the Mets though, his value came in the field as a defensive replacement to play alongside Juan Lagares. His woes at the plate though became too much to stomach as the Mets lineup as a whole was struggling to produce and holding onto a defensive replacement became a luxury the Mets could no longer afford.

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With the Angels though, his struggles persisted at the plate. In 10 games, Nieuwenhuis struggled to get anything going again at the plate, hitting .136 as he went 3-22. They wasted no time in waiving him, as a defensive replacement does not have the same value in the American League as the National League and they could not afford to wait for his bat to possibly come around.

That has landed him back with the Mets organization, and with a spot on the major league team at least for the time being. To make room for Niewenhuis on the 40-man roster, Jerry Blevins, who is recovering from a fractured forearm, was moved from the 15-Day DL to the 60-Day DL. Since he was claimed, he will be a part of the major league team when he reports Sunday, as he was traveling from Los Angeles to New York and was not able to make it in time for Saturday’s game.

But, he may not be with the team for long. The Mets could potentially try passing Nieuwenhuis through waivers to the minor leagues as they have a lot of roster decisions to make already. They already have to decide which players will be moved around with Ruben Tejada and Dillon Gee both returning from paternity and bereavement leaves.

Dilson Herrera and Travis D’Arnaud were both activated earlier in the week as those players were placed on leave and should be locked into roster spots. Daniel Muno could be ticketed for yet another trip back to the minor leagues. Or, the Mets could have a decision made regarding Kevin Plawecki. Plawecki was originally slated to return to the minor leagues once D’Arnaud returned, but dizziness has caused him to miss games and potentially be added to the DL.

Whatever the Mets decide, it will have to be done soon as they have a lot of players returning for not enough spots it seems like on Sunday.

Next: What possible moves will the Mets make?

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