clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Mets Demote Lucas Duda to Buffalo To Make Room For Matt Harvey

By SB Nation MLB News
July 18, 2012; Washington, D.C., USA; New York Mets right fielder Lucas Duda (21) doubles in the seventh inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. The Nationals defeated the Mets 4 - 3. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-US PRESSWIRE
July 18, 2012; Washington, D.C., USA; New York Mets right fielder Lucas Duda (21) doubles in the seventh inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. The Nationals defeated the Mets 4 - 3. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-US PRESSWIRE

The Mets have demoted Lucas Duda to Triple-A Buffalo to clear a roster spot for Matt Harvey, who will make his major-league debut on Thursday. Both Duda and Kirk Nieuwenhuis have struggled lately and looked to be the team's most likely options to clear up a roster spot.

Duda has been a defensive liability in right field, but he was the more consistent hitter of the two. In 355 plate appearances, he hit 12 home runs with a slash line of .241/.335/.398. It's the lack of power that has been most disappointing for Duda.

Duda

Month wOBA
April .340
May .328
June .338
July .233

Nieuwenhuis

Month wOBA
April .377
May .288
June .311
July .167

So for now, the team will stick with the better defender in Nieuwenhuis while Duda works on his game in Buffalo. The roster is back to normal with five starting pitchers and seven relief pitchers with Matt Harvey's activation.

More From Amazin' Avenue