Jankowski designated for assignment to open spot for Naquin

MIAMI — It’s moving and shaking season in Major League Baseball, and on Friday the Mets’ clubhouse got a minor pre-deadline earthquake.

Four days ahead of the Aug. 2 trade deadline, the Mets welcomed Tyler Naquin to the clubhouse. But, as manager Buck Showalter has been saying for weeks, an addition also means some subtraction.

To make room for Naquin, the Mets designated Travis Jankowski for assignment. The team’s consummate dirt dog all season, Jankowski was the man Showalter called on whenever he needed a pinch runner or late-game defensive substitution in the outfield. Jankowski started his Mets career with nine hits in his first 25 at-bats but since then has gone 0-for-29. Showalter was asked about having that difficult conversation with Jankowski, who now has seven days to either be traded or claimed off waivers.

“I have a soft spot for anyone who’s wearing our uniform,” the veteran manager said. “In the next 72 hours we’ll have a better idea of what direction his career and life takes. We hope it’s with us again. He made some good contributions, but we’re also excited about Tyler.”

Naquin met his new teammates and took his first round of batting practice in Mets’ gear. He was not in the starting lineup on Friday but was available to come off the bench.

“It’s another opportunity to be on a good ball club,” said Naquin, who was watching TV when he had to scramble, pack everything up, and report to his new employer. “It’s fun, exciting news. It’s been a whirlwind for the last couple hours. It was definitely out of the blue.”

deGrom in D.C.: Jacob deGrom is supposed to throw on Tuesday. Where that will take place is not set in stone, but everyone even loosely affiliated with the Mets is hoping it’s against the Nationals in D.C.

“We’ll see how things go between now and then,” said Showalter, who is still operating under the idea that the next time deGrom pitches in a professional game, it will be in the majors. “He’s on schedule to make a start next week.”

The man himself was at loanDepot Park on Friday, where he had a locker in the visitors clubhouse, watched the Mets beat the Marlins from the dugout and played catch before the game. Showalter also shared that he is staying at the team hotel. The star pitcher experienced leg cramps in his last rehab start on Wednesday which caused a dip in velocity. Showalter classified it as a non-issue.