Mets comfortable with Luis Guillorme and Eduardo Escobar in a platoon
Mets infielders Luis Guillorme, left, and Eduardo Escobar. Credit: AP
WASHINGTON — For the third time in the past four chances, Luis Guillorme started at third base against a righthanded starting pitcher Tuesday night, the clearest indication that the Mets are comfortable decreasing Eduardo Escobar’s role.
Manager Buck Showalter hinted that he had discussed that dynamic with Escobar, who has struggled against righties but excelled against lefties in his first year with the Mets. The opposite is true for Guillorme.
“Eddie and I talk every day about something. He’s very professional,” Showalter said. “He just wants the Mets to win and to be able to put our best foot forward. And he’s ready for whatever situation. I think he trusts everybody and knows that there’s still going to be some opportunities for him to get it going from the other side (against lefthanded pitchers). But I’m gonna always use all of our roster and keep everybody in the flow.”
May day
Trevor May, out since early May with a stress reaction in his right humerus, is expected back Wednesday in what could be a significant addition for the bullpen.
May struggled before going on the injured list, posting a 8.64 ERA in eight appearances. Last year, he had a 3.59 ERA, regularly pitching in the late innings.
“We think some of his inconsistency early on was due to this (injury),” Showalter said. “We hope we got that solved. I think people will be reminded why he was such a good piece for us last year. That’s a good addition for us. If we get him back right, that’s a big piece to add to our bullpen.”
Extra bases
Edwin Diaz was named the NL Reliever of the Month for July. He struck out 25 in 11 1/3 scoreless innings, in which he allowed two hits and one walk . . . The Mets called up infielder Kramer Robertson to take the roster spot of the traded J.D. Davis. They also sent lefthander Sam Clay to Triple-A Syracuse, which made room for Jacob deGrom.
Tim Healey is the Mets beat writer for Newsday. Born on Long Island and raised in Connecticut, Tim has previously worked for the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the Boston Globe and MLB.com. He is also the author of “Hometown Hardball,” a book about minor league baseball in the northeast.
