Mets Acquire Billy Hamilton From Giants, Activate Jared Hughes
The New York Mets made a flurry of roster moves ahead of Sunday’s game in Atlanta, presumably hoping to shake things up amid their ongoing four-game losing streak.
Right-hander Jordan Humphreys, designated for assignment earlier this week, was traded to the San Francisco Giants for veteran outfielder Billy Hamilton.
Humphreys, 24, missed nearly two full seasons after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2017, returning for two Gulf Coast League appearances last season (two innings, one run) and the Arizona Fall League, where he excelled (0.77 ERA over 11.2 innings).
Added to the 40-man roster this past offseason, Humphreys needed to pass through waivers in order to remain in the Mets’ organization. Clearly, the Giants see promise in the Florida product.
Hamilton, 29, is a defensive specialist in the outfield. Since making his MLB debut in 2013, Hamilton’s 73 defensive runs saved and 53.4 ultimate zone rating both rank fifth in the majors and his 57 outs above average (Statcast) since 2017 rank third among the same group.
Without much offense to speak of (.218/.289/.275, 22 stolen bases in 353 plate appearances between Kansas City and Atlanta last season), Hamilton’s defense must continue to be his calling card.
In other roster news, the Mets activated right-handed reliever Jared Hughes off the injured list after his bout with COVID-19.
Hughes, 35, signed a minor-league deal with New York just ahead of the restart of baseball operations (June 30) and figures to play an integral part in the struggling Mets bullpen (6.81 ERA is third-worst in MLB).
Franklyn Kilome, who performed admirably in Saturday night’s loss to Atlanta (four innings, two runs on two hits, five strikeouts, no walks), was optioned to the team’s alternate training site in Coney Island as the corresponding move.
Saturday’s outing was the first professional action for Kilome, acquired from Philadelphia for Asdrubal Cabrera in 2018, since undergoing Tommy John surgery in October 2018.
Lastly, the Mets sent infielder Jed Lowrie (PCL laxity) to the 45-day injured list, essentially ending his tumultuous tenure in New York having taken just nine plate appearances (0-for-8, BB).
The 36-year-old would be eligible to return from the IL on September 6, but considering the enigmatic nature of his ongoing health issues (left-side issues), it’s anyone’s guess whether Lowrie would be ready to return when eligible.
We’ll keep you posted with more information as it becomes available.