Mets Make Unexpected Brett Baty Move Before White Sox Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Josh Valdez | Last updated May 27, 2025 8:06 PM ET

New York Mets infielder Brett Baty is having a career season despite being optioned to the minors on April 24. The 25-year-old is slashing .240/.275/.471 with six homers and 17 RBI across 36 games thus far, and he's on pace to shatter his single-season career highs of nine homers and 34 RBI.

Baty was sent down when utility man Jeff McNeil returned from an oblique injury, but was called back up on May 5 when outfielder Jesse Winker went down with his own oblique ailment.

Now, the Mets are playing Baty at an unusual spot in the batting order for Tuesday's game vs. the Chicago White Sox, via the team's social media.

The 6-foot-3-inch, 210-pounder will hit fifth for the first time this season. He has one at-bat at cleanup, 17 at sixth, 36 at seventh, 40 at eighth, and 10 at ninth.

Meanwhile, McNeil will hit ninth despite only having one-at bat in that slot this season. The 33-year-old is slashing .221/.349/.426 with two homers and 10 RBI through 25 games.

Tuesday's starters! ⚾ #LGM pic.twitter.com/GnD0zDMGmU
— New York Mets (@Mets) May 27, 2025

First baseman Jared Young, who is just 0-for-5 across the entire season, will hit seventh as the designated hitter. The 29-year-old was recalled from the minors on Saturday.

New York is 1.5 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies for first place in the NL East and the NL at large. The club will play the White Sox again on Wednesday before hosting the Colorado Rockies.

The Mets will then hit the road to face the Los Angeles Dodgers and rematch the Rockies.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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