The Mets announced that the team has optioned outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis to Las Vegas (Triple-A) and has recalled outfielder Juan Lagares, with the latter being available for Tuesday night’s game against the Dodgers at Citi Field.
Lagares, 24, was off to a blistering start this season in Las Vegas, batting .346 (27-for-78) with 13 runs, three home runs, three doubles, two triples and nine RBIs in 17 games with Las Vegas.
A righthanded hitter, Lagares was signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2006 and spent last season with Binghamton (AA), where he hit .283 with four home runs, 29 doubles, six triples and 48 RBIs in 130 games.
Nieuwenhuis saw few at-bats this season and was often used as a late-game defensive replacement. He hit .125 (2-for-16) with one double and one RBI in 13 games. As a rookie last season, Niewenhuis, 25, hit .297 through June 15, but then hit just .123 after that date.