WASHINGTON — Brett Baty added a sixth starting position to his toolbox Saturday with a cameo at shortstop.
Citing the flexibility it could give the team next season when Francisco Lindor needs days off, manager Andy Green said Baty has the skill set to handle the position.
“I think some of the things we’re doing in these last couple of days gives us a look at those things and to look at different possibilities,” Green said before the Mets’ 7-1 victory over the Nationals in which Baty committed a ninth-inning fielding error at shortstop. “These games don’t have playoff implications for either team. We don’t feel like we’re necessarily shorting the industry by doing it at this point in time and it serves our purpose for the future.”
Baty, who has been among the team’s most productive hitters since the All-Star break, has also started games this season at first, second and third base in addition to left and right field.
Green said the experimentation with Baty at shortstop will likely carry into spring training next season.
“I’ve had the privilege of coaching a lot of really good big league infielders,” Green said. “[Bench coach] Kai [Correa] has as well, and [third base coach] Tim Leiper has too, and we all see in him the athleticism necessary to defend the field there, not on a regular basis, but on a step-in and fill-in basis. Brett is incredibly athletic.”
Green considers Baty’s versatility an asset, along with a bat that began play with an .890 OPS since July 10.
“You look around baseball, and the best teams have someone like this who has the athleticism to do all of these things,” Green said.
Ronny Mauricio started at second base and delivered homers from both sides of the plate in what might have been his Mets farewell. The 25-year-old infielder, who has underperformed in his limited chances with the major league club (and spent significant time on the injured list) is a non-tender candidate this winter.
“He’ll have an opportunity to compete to make a team next year, and Ronny has a ton of athleticism,” Green said.
Sunday’s start time has been moved up to 1:05 p.m. because of weather concerns.
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