PORT STREET SEA — Mark Vientos has been stripped of the DH role in recent days and lost his spot on the roster on Sunday.
Three days after agreeing to a $12 million, one-year contract with J.D. Martinez, the Mets offered Vientos to Triple-A Syracuse as an option to begin the season.
Martinez would spend at least the first 10 days of the season strengthening in the minor leagues, while Vientos was not yet considered suitable for the roster.
“Looking at the makeup of the roster and some of the matchups early in the season, we thought this made the right sense for both teams.” [Vientos] “From a playing time standpoint and from our team at the major league level,” said President of Baseball Operations David Stearns.
According to Stearns, Choi Ji-man has also been informed that he will not be on the roster, and the veteran first baseman/DH will have to decide whether to accept a transfer to the minor leagues or become a free agent.
Versatile infielder Zach Short is said to be joining the team.
DJ Stewart is set to head north with the club, but is not officially on the roster. The Mets are still monitoring who will be available from other camps before Thursday’s opener at Citi Field.
As for the bullpen, the Mets still have three relievers in the two spots: Michael Tonkin, Sean Reid-Foley, and Johan Ramirez.
