Mets star outfielder returns to form after recent benching

New York Mets star outfielder Harrison Bader made his second-straight start in their 4-1 loss to the Atlanta Braves on May 11 after openly voicing his displeasure with relegation to the bench last week.

Bader has connected on one hit in six at-bats, hitting .273 since rejoining the starting lineup on May 10. The 29-year-old, who normally hits seventh in the Mets’ batting order, was originally pulled from the starting lineup against the St. Louis Cardinals on May 6 and 7.

Mets: Harrison Bader was not happy with recent benching

Bader openly voiced his displeasure with the coaching move after his second straight benching on May 8:

“I don’t handle it well, I can tell you that,” Bader said, and also told reporters that “I want to win, but I want to play.”

As one of the Mets’ biggest off-season acquisitions, Bader entered the 2024 MLB season with a .243 career batting average and .706 OPS. He most recently hit .232 with a .622 OPS in 98 games spent with the New York Yankees and Cincinnati Reds in 2023.

Bader was hitting at a career-high level before getting pulled

In his 30 games played before getting sidelined this year, the former 2021 Gold Glove award winner put up a career-high .281 batting average and maintained a pace of 61 runs scored for 120 games played, equalling his personal-best from 2018, and much more in a full 162-game slate. Though, his 138 games played in 2018 is the most he’s seen in any season.

The Mets are now 12-8 when Bader records at least one hit in a game. They are also 12-4 when he hits .280 or better. It is no coincidence that the Mets have found much success in the win column when the center fielder succeeds at the plate.