With Travis d'Arnaud on the verge of rejoining the Mets, the team will have to pick which one of its other catchers will stick around as his backup.
When the Mets recall Travis d’Arnaud from Triple-A Las Vegas—presumably soon given the way he has hit since he was sent there—they will have to make room for him on the major league roster. Either Anthony Recker or Taylor Teagarden figures to be the roster casualty.
Now 30 years old, Recker was claimed on waivers by the Mets from the Cubs following the 2012 season. He’s served as the team’s backup catcher since then and has hit .213/.270/.367 in 266 plate appearances over 86 games. He can be optioned to the minors at the Mets’ discretion this year.
Teagarden, also 30 years old, was signed to a minor league deal by the Mets in January and spent his time with Las Vegas until the team sent d’Arnaud there in an attempt to get him right at the plate. In 30 plate appearances with the Mets, Teagarden has hit .143/.200/.250 with a grand slam against the Brewers in his Mets debut undoubtedly the highlight of his brief tenure with the team. Unlike Recker, Teagarden does not have options remaining, which means the Mets would risk losing him if they choose to send him to the minors.