Mets place Kirk Nieuwenhuis on disabled list, recall Michael Conforto

The Mets have placed Kirk Nieuwenhuis on the disabled list with a pinched nerve in his upper back and recalled Michael Conforto to take his place on the roster. Conforto was only optioned to the minors last night to make room for the newly-acquired Yoenis Cespedes. In 111 plate appearances this year, some of which came with the Angels when the Mets traded him there before re-acquiring him on waivers, Nieuwenhuis has hit .188/.261/.356 with a 76 wRC+.

The highlight of Nieuwenhuis's season was undoubtedly the game in which he hit three home runs for the Mets. Since returning to the organization and getting recalled to the big league roster, he has hit .317/.404/.634 in 47 plate appearances.

After starting the year in High-A St. Lucie and getting promtoed to Double-A Binghamton earlier this season, Conforto made his major league debut with the Mets on July 24. In 23 plate appearances, he has hit .211/.348/.316 with a 99 wRC+.

After trading for Cespedes, the Mets suggested they would be comfortable using him or Curtis Granderson in center field on a regular basis. Cespedes gets the start in center for the Mets tonight against the Nationals.