Mets Dump Rick Ankiel, Recall Kirk Nieuwenhuis
After striking out three times in Saturday’s marathon against the Marlins, the Mets have seen enough of Rick Ankiel. They designated him for assignment and will recall Kirk Nieuwenhuis from Las Vegas.
Rick Ankiel got off to a good start for the Mets, hitting two home runs in his first six games. However they were the only two homers he would hit for the Mets; overall he hit .182 with 25 strikeouts in 66 at bats. Since May 20 he has gone three-for-46.
Nieuwenhuis hasn’t exactly been tearing it up in Vegas — he is hitting just .232 but he does have 10 home runs in 167 at bats. Nieuwenhuis made the Mets out of Spring Training but was sent down after batting .125.
There really is not a big difference between Rick Ankiel and Kirk Nieuwenhuis. Both of them are fine fielders who strike out entirely too much. Except Nieuwenhuis is 25 and could be part of the Mets future if he can figure things out, while Ankiel is 33 and was simply a placeholder.
In any case, it would be surprising if this move translated into any more wins for the New York Mets.