Major League Baseball

Mets recall Duda, option Baxter to Triple-A

Published Aug. 24, 2013 10:33 p.m. ET

foxsports

The New York Mets recalled Lucas Duda from Triple-A Las Vegas and optioned outfielder Mike Baxter to their top farm club on Saturday.

Duda returns to the majors for the first time in two months. He went on the 15-day disabled list on June 23 with a strained ribcage and spent time at Las Vegas on a rehab assignment. When that ended, he was optioned to Triple-A on Aug. 7.

Mets manager Terry Collins said Duda will primarily be a backup to first baseman Ike Davis and can serve as the designated hitter when the team plays in Cleveland early next month. Duda started 58 games in left field for New York this season but had been playing first base with Las Vegas.

Collins said he doesn't want to disrupt the strong outfield play his team has been getting lately.

Duda, who hit .235 with 11 home runs, 23 RBIs and a .353 on-base percentage for the Mets earlier this year, arrived in New York and was active for Saturday's late afternoon game against Detroit. He was batting .306 with no homers and eight RBIs in 18 games at Las Vegas.

Baxter, a pinch-hitting specialist, was batting .208 with four RBIs in 101 at-bats for the Mets. He was demoted to Las Vegas on June 10 and recalled Aug. 3.