NEW YORK (AP) — Rookie catcher Kevin Plawecki is staying with the New York Mets for now.
The team optioned incumbent backup Anthony Recker to Triple-A Las Vegas on Sunday and decided to keep Plawecki around as starter Travis d’Arnaud works his way back into peak condition.
After missing 46 games with a broken right pinkie, d’Arnaud returned Wednesday. But the Mets don’t want to wear him out, so Plawecki will get enough playing time in the near future to make keeping him in the majors worthwhile, manager Terry Collins said.
Recker, batting .143 with two homers, was sent down to make room for pitcher Dillon Gee, who was activated from the bereavement list to start Sunday’s series finale against Atlanta. New York also reinstated Ruben Tejada from the paternity leave list and optioned fellow infielder Danny Muno to Las Vegas.
