Mets recall Anthony Recker, option Johnny Monell to Las Vegas

The Mets have optioned catcher Johnny Monell to Triple-A Las Vegas and recalled catcher Anthony Recker. The 31-year-old Recker had been with the Mets at the major league for most of the past two-plus seasons before the team optioned him to Vegas in mid-June.

With Travis d'Arnaud having hit the disabled list a couple of times this year, the Mets' catching situation has not been ideal. Kevin Plawecki has been the primary catcher in d'Arnaud's absence, and he has struggled at the plate generally. He has hit better lately, though.

Recker started the season as d'Arnaud's backup. In 58 plate appearances with the team before he was demoted, he hit just .143/.276/.265 with a couple of home runs. Monell, however, hit .178/.245/.222 in 45 plate appearances. Recker has hit very well in Vegas since his demotion. In the end, the move probably doesn't mean a whole lot either way. But Recker is probably a marginal upgrade on Monell, and given the Mets' offensive struggles this year—and especially lately—any improvement would be welcome.