Mets recall Michael Conforto to majors, demote Brandon Nimmo

After three weeks thrashing through Triple-A Las Vegas, Michael Conforto has been recalled to the major leagues, the Mets announced today. Outfielder Brandon Nimmo, Conforto’s brief replacement, will return to Nevada.

Conforto, 23, hit .344/.420/.623 with three home runs in 16 games for the 51s. The Mets sent Conforto down in June, hopeful that the slumping left fielder would be able to fix his swing. After hitting .365/.442/.676 in April, Conforto hit just .148/.217/.303 in May and June, including an .091 average in his final 13 games before the demotion.

While in Las Vegas, Conforto played four games in right field, his first appearances at the position in his professional career. In spring training, general manager Sandy Alderson said Conforto could get playing time in right. At the time, Conforto said he was comfortable there, having played that corner briefly as a college freshman.

Nimmo, 23, went for 4-for-12 with three RBIs and his first major league home run in the Mets’ four game sweep of the Cubs, but otherwise struggled in his first major league tenure. The 13th overall pick in the 2011 draft and the Mets’ first pick under Alderson, Nimmo is no longer projected to be a star. Yet scouts still think his defense and on-base ability could make him an everyday player or at least a solid fourth outfielder, making a September call-up likely.