Mets Claim Shawn Ross, Designate Joey Gerber

The Mets announced that catcher Shawn Ross has been claimed off waivers from the Pirates.  To create 40-man roster space, right-hander Joey Gerber was designated for assignment.

Gerber has a 4.32 ERA over 8 1/3 innings and seven appearances for New York this season, amidst multiple trips back and forth between the active roster and Triple-A Syracuse.  The Mets sent Gerber to the minors about a month ago, and placed him on the Triple-A injured list earlier this week.  His health status could prevent another team from making a waiver claim, and since Gerber isn’t eligible to decline an outright assignment, he’ll have to remain the Mets organization if he clears waivers and is outrighted.

In all likelihood this is a paper move to open some space on the 40-man roster, without much worry on the Mets’ part that Gerber will be claimed.  Beyond his small sample size of MLB action this year, Gerber has struggled to an 8.10 ERA in 26 2/3 innings with Syracuse, though a .349 BABIP may be mostly responsible for that inflated ERA.

The Pirates designated Ross for assignment earlier this week, and the 26-year-old will now be changing organizations for the first time in his career.  While primarily a catcher, Ross has seen a lot of time as a corner infielder and has dabbled at second base, shortstop, and in the outfield during his four years in Pittsburgh’s farm system.

Beyond the defensive versatility, Ross has some good power when he is able to make contact, but he has struck out 741 times in his 2189 career plate appearances in the minors.  A lopsided .211/.403/.614 slash line in 77 Double-A PA earned Ross another look at the Triple-A level (where he struggled to a .598 OPS in 116 PA), and an injury crunch in the Pirates’ catching corps led to Ross’ MLB debut on July 25.  Over two games and five trips to the plate, Ross struck out twice but also went yard for his first big league home run and hit.