TORONTO — DJ Stewart is receiving another chance.
The Mets outfieꦗlder/designated hitter was passed over for a spot when rosters expanded on Sept. 1 and the odds seemed great that other than a three-day hitch 🔜filling in for J.D. Martinez on paternity leave he would finish the season at Triple-A Syracuse.
Jeff McNeil’s fractured right wrist that will keep him out for the remainder of the regula൩r season changed the equation.
Stewart not only returned last weekend to provide a lefty bat off the bench but Tuesday he was thrust into the starting lineup as the right fielder in the Mets’ 6-2 loss to the Blue Jays.
Stewart has a .177/.325/.297 slash line after going 1-for-3 wi🌱th two st🦋rikeouts.
“I have got🌜 13 position players and they are going to get opportunities,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “[Stewart] is here for a reason and we feel good, that he is going to give us a good at-bat.”
Mendoza said he didn’t want to play Starling Marte all three games on tꦗhe artificial turf at R🦋ogers Centre and valued the extra lefty bat in the lineup. Jesse Winker started in left field with Brandon Nimmo in center.
Paul Blackburn was🦹n’t showing improvement from the lower back tightness that scrat🦂ched his scheduled return to the rotation on Monday.
Mendoza said the rig🉐ht-hander will miss at least another start and it will be decided after Wednesday’s game if Blackburn should continue with the team to Philad🍰elphia or return to New York.
Tylor Megill, who fired six shutout innings in Blackburn’s spot on Monday, will remain in th🌳e rotation and pitch either Sunday in Philadelphia or next week at Citi Field𝕴 against the Nationals.
Thursday’s off day gives Mendoza the op🎶tion of using David Peterson on normal rest against the Phillies on Sunday.
Blackburn has missed three 𒁃starts while on the injurജed list.
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The first two wer🍎e the result of a contusion he received on his right hand from a line drive.
Sean Reid-Foley was named this year’s recip𓄧ient of the Bob Fe🥂ller Act of Valor Award.
The right-hander was recognized for his dedication connecting to the military community and🤪🌟 living out core values of service, sacrifice, citizenship and legacy.
🔥Eddy Alvarez (0-for-2)🐟 was in the starting lineup at second base, batting ninth.
The Mets acquired the 3🅷4-year-old infielder in a trade with the Red Sox on Sunday.
He scor🔜ed the go-ahead run for the Mets on Monday as a pinch runner in the eighth inning, racing home from third base on a passed ball.