Watch CBS News

Mets Call Up Veteran Bopper Bobby Abreu, Option Andrew Brown

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The New York Mets are hoping an old rival can add some pop to their lineup.

Outfielder Bobby Abreu will join the Mets on Monday for the opener of a four-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals at Citi Field. His contract has been selected from Triple-A Las Vegas, and Andrew Brown has been optioned.

The 40-year-old slugger was released by Philadelphia in late March and landed with New York on a minor league deal shortly afterward. The two-time All-Star hasn't played a major league game since 2012.

Abreu is a career .292 hitter with 287 home runs over 17 seasons, including parts of nine seasons with the Phillies and a stint with the New York Yankees.

Some said Abreu appeared sluggish in the field during spring training with Philadelphia. But the Mets have a glut of athletic outfielders -- including Chris Young, Eric Young Jr. and Curtis Granderson -- who can cover plenty of ground when the Mets have Abreu, a left-handed batter, in the lineup. Center fielder Juan Lagares is on the disabled list with a hamstring injury.

"I lost a lot of weight," Abreu recently told the New York Times. "I don't know how much. Just a lot."

Abreu has been raking at Triple-A Las Vegas, hitting .395 with one home run, four doubles and nine RBIs in 15 games.

"He's still Bobby Abreu," Triple-A manager Wally Backman told the Times.

The Mets (9-9) have the lowest batting average in the National League at .224. They also have the most strikeouts (177) and are near the bottom of the barrel with 12 home runs.

You May Also Be Interested In These Stories

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.