The New York Mets announced on Thursday night that they would be recalling prospect Dilson Herrera on Friday after pitcher Rafael Montero hit the disabled list with shoulder inflammation and third baseman David Wright was said to need another week of recovery from his hamstring strain.
According to Danny Knobler of ESPNNewYork.com, Montero was placed on the DL yesterday with shoulder inflammation while Wright, who was eligible to return from the DL on Thursday, could come back next week when the team travels to Philadelphia on May 8 for a series against the Phillies. As a result, New York promoted Herrera, who played in 18 games with the Mets last season.
"The Mets announced late Thursday night that they plan to recall the 21-year-old second baseman from Triple-A Las Vegas, giving them another infield option while they wait for [David] Wright to return from the disabled list," writes Knobler.
Herrera will be used at second base in the meantime while Daniel Murphy is shifted to third, which is what the team did last season in September when Wright was out. Over the course of those contests, the 21-year-old batted .220/.303/.407 with six runs scored, three home runs and 11 RBIs.
However, the prospect had an awful spring training with New York and slashed just .059/.158/.059 with two runs scored and two RBIs in eight games (19 plate appearances) before starting the season at Triple-A Las Vegas. He's had a much better campaign in the minors, where he's batting .370/.402/.506 with 18 runs scored, one home run, 11 RBIs and three stolen bases in 20 games.
It'll be interesting to see what happens because Herrera is viewed as Murphy's successor at second base, and the veteran is performing poorly thus far and will become a free agent when the season ends. In 23 games Murphy is batting .198/.258/.346 with seven runs scored, two home runs and 14 RBIs and earlier this week Chris Schubert of SB Nation said Herrera may get the call soon if Murphy continues to struggle.
"Murphy has been a steady bat for so long that he will be given the opportunity to get back to his old offensive ways," Schubert wrote. "He showed signs of it during the last game of a three-game set with the Atlanta Braves, with two hits and four RBIs. It's not clear how much longer the Mets will give him to turn things around, but if Herrera keeps raking in Las Vegas, the pressure on Murphy to hit-and for the Mets to make a move-will continue to mount."
New York has dropped three straight games after starting the season 15-5 thanks to an 11-game winning streak. Their offense has struggled this week, scoring only 11 runs in their past four games, during which they are 1-3. Perhaps general manager Sandy Alderson believes Herrera can provide an offensive boost for the club, and if that's the case, Murphy's playing time could be in danger.
