Amazin’s call up first baseman Smith
PHILADELPHIA — Dominic Smith’s time has arrived.
The second cornerstone of the Mets’ youth movement will be promoted from Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday, according to general manager Sandy Alderson, when Smith will make his major league debut against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.
Smith’s promotion to play first base will come just more than a week after top prospect Amed Rosario as- sumed the starting shortstop duties for the Mets.
“We want to get a look at [Smith] beyond just a typical September call-up,” Alder- son said. “With the move, [Jay] Bruce going to Cleveland, it’s not a direct replacement — Bruce did play some first base — but as the number of veteran players and potential free agents is reduced, then we create more playing time.”
Smith, 22, had a .330/.386/ .519 slash line with 16 homers and 76 RBIs this season for Las Vegas. He is well-regarded for his glove work at first base and will give the Mets an upgrade over Lucas Duda at the position defensively. Duda was traded to the Rays two weeks ago for a minor league reliever.
Mets officials will be monitoring Smith’s weight. The rotund Smith lost 24 pounds last offseason, but has gained much of it back in the last four months, according to sources, albeit not at the expense of his offensive production.
It’s possible the Mets will place Smith on a new diet if it’s determined his weight is a detriment.
Alderson said the Mets viewed this weekend as the perfect opportunity for Smith to assimilate himself before heading into the Subway Series, which begins Monday.
Fernando Salas was designated for assignment to clear roster space for Smith. Salas, who was signed to a oneyear deal worth $3 million last offseason, was 1-2 with a 6.00 ERA in 48 appearances for the Mets.