Brett Baty’s plan is to be ready if the Mets need him.
While the rookie third baseman is unlikely to join the team for the regular season, he would like to position himself as a potential option if the Mets advance deep into the playoffs and need an injury replacement on the list.
Baty, who is recovering from surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb, trained at Citi Field. He took hits on the ground without throwing Friday before the Mets’ 4-3 victory over the Pirates. He is due to be examined next week as part of the follow-up to his September 1 operation.
“I’m just preparing like we’re going all the way to the World Series and it’s okay in November and if they need me I’ll be ready for them,” Baty said.
The 22-year-old rookie was called up for his major league debut on Aug. 17 and homered against the Braves in his first appearance on the major league shelf. Baty had two home runs in 11 games before the injury.
Tylor Megill struggled in a second straight relief appearance for Triple-A Syracuse, allowing one run on two hits, one walk and one hit per pitch in one inning. He also threw a wild pitch among his 26 pitches.
The right-hander taped the endgame out of the third inning, then came back to strike out two batters in the fourth, one of whom was caught stealing.
Joey Lucchesi and Drew Smith also pitched for Syracuse on Friday.
Southpaw Lucchesi started and pitched 2 ²/₃ scoreless innings. Smith, who pitched a scoreless fifth inning, is expected to pitch again on Saturday, giving him back-to-back appearances for the first time while in rehab.
Starling Marte is eligible to come off the injured list on Saturday, but that is unlikely to happen. The veteran outfielder said he’s been running to keep his legs strong, but doesn’t know when he’ll be able to return to baseball activities.
Marte, who has an undisplaced partial fracture to her right middle finger, wears a device twice a day that is supposed to help with healing.
