Photo by James Farrance PhotographyR

As reported by Jon Heyman of MLB Network and confirmed by Mets beat reporters, the New York Mets have had Ruben Tejada fly to Atlanta to join the team in the event Jeff McNeil needs to be placed on the 10 day injured list. McNeil is undergoing an MRI in Atlanta today after injuring his hamstring in the August 13 game, and expectations are he will need to be placed on the IL regardless of the outcome of the test.

Tejada rejoined the Mets organization this year after spending the last three years in the Cardinals, Giants, Orioles, and Yankees organizations. Tejada last played in the Majors in 2017. In 41 games for the Orioles, he hit .230/.293/.283. Last year, he spent the entire season in Triple-A. In 101 games, he hit .230/.291/.298.

Tejada signed with the Mets late in Spring Training, and he would not begin his minor league season until May 21. After two games with Double-A Binghamton, he was promoted to Triple-A Syracuse where he has had a very good season at the plate. In 71 games for Syracuse, he has hit .337/.412/.486 with 21 doubles, a triple, six homers, and 39 RBI. Tejada has slumped in 11 August games hitting .227/.306/.295.

In the field, Tejada has predominantly played third base. In fact, he has played 42 of his 71 games at third. He has also played second (12 games) and shortstop (18 games).

If Tejada is recalled to the Mets, this will mark the first time he has played a game for the Mets organization since Chase Utley broke his leg in Game 2 of the 2015 NLDS. After that game, the Mets would tender Tejada a contract only to cut him from the roster during Spring Training. Overall, Tejada has hit .255/.330/.323 over six years as a member of the Mets organization.

If the Mets do need to add Tejada to the roster, the team will have to make a move with the 40 man roster. With Jacob Rhame recently undergoing ulnar nerve transposition surgery, the obvious move would be moving him to the 60 day injured list.