Mets call up Dominic Smith and Buddy Baumann, place Hansel Robles on the disabled list

The New York Mets have called up first baseman Dominic Smith from Triple-A to take the place of right fielder Jay Bruce. Bruce was placed on paternity leave yesterday afternoon as he and his wife Hannah await the birth of their second child, and he is expected to miss the entire series with the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Mets also announced that they were recalling left-handed reliever Buddy Baumann to replace reliever Hansel Robles, who was placed on the 10-day disabled list. Robles left Tuesday’s game with an apparent right knee injury and had an MRI on Wednesday. The extent of the injury was not disclosed by the team.

Smith was listed as the second best prospect in the Mets’ farm system prior to the 2017 season, but he was unimpressive in limited action after being called up by the Mets in August. While he did hit nine home runs, he recorded just 33 hits in 167 at-bats while posting a 73 wRC+ and a -0.6 fWAR. Smith, who was also projected to be a solid defensive first baseman, struggled in the field, putting up a -7 DRS and a -1.3 UZR at the major league level.

In 31 games at Triple-A this year, the 22-year-old Smith is hitting .278/.390/.417 with two home runs and 12 runs batted in. With the Phillies using three right-handed starters this series, Smith should get the opportunity to start at least one of these games at first base in place of Adrian Gonzalez.

The Mets claimed the 30-year-old Baumann off waivers from the San Diego Padres on April 28. He only pitched one-third of an inning for the Padres this year and allowed five runs (two earned). He will need to serve a one-game suspension for his part in the Padres’ brawl with the Colorado Rockies before he can pitch for the Mets.

Since being acquired, Baumann has pitched four-and-two-thirds innings for the Las Vegas 51s, posting a 1.93 ERA with four strikeouts and four walks. He will give the Mets another left-handed option out of the bullpen to complement Jerry Blevins. Lefties are just 7-for-43 lifetime against Baumann.