WASHINGTON — Jay Bruce may have to dust off his first baseman’s mitt for the Mets when he returns from the disabled list.
The veteran outfielder is expected to increase his rehab workload Wednesday, when he begins hitting. Before Tuesday’s 25-4 loss to the Nationals, manager Mickey Callaway suggested that Bruce, who has been sidelined since June 19 with a sore right hip, may receive a fair amount of action at first base.
“I think you are definitely going to see [Bruce] there some,” Callaway said. “Obviously we have outfielders that are actually performing well out there right now.
“We have to see where Jay comes back at, we have to talk about what we’re looking for to next year, as far as what our plan is and [what] we want to see out of Jay. But I think you will definitely see him at first some and you will see him in the outfield as well.”
Wilmer Flores has become the team’s first baseman in recent weeks. Dominic Smith was promoted and then demoted to Triple-A Las Vegas, and prospect Peter Alonso still hasn’t been deemed ready to claim a spot on the major league roster.
“We have talked about Pete Alonso and from our perspective it is in his best interests to stay in Triple-A for the time being,” assistant general manager John Ricco said on a conference call. “So I think it will be Wilmer and then at some time Dom Smith will be up and get some time there.”
Flores departed in the first inning with dehydration and dizziness. He was treated and expects to be available for Wednesday’s game.
Flores, Devin Mesoraco and Jose Bautista are candidates to be dealt in August waiver deals, according to sources. Flores is the least likely of that group to be traded because he is under club control through next season. Mesoraco and Bautista are impending free agents.
Todd Frazier is expected to play a second straight minor league rehab game for Single-A Brooklyn and play nine innings on Wednesday, a day after he homered for the Cyclones. The Mets anticipate the third baseman will return from the disabled list this weekend.
