Mets option Ronny Mauricio to make room on roster for Tommy Pham

In order to make room on the active roster for Tommy Pham , the Mets are optioning Ronny Mauricio to Triple-A Syracuse. The move is not surprising, given how open manager Carlos Mendoza was about the situation when Mauricio was called up to replace the IL'd Juan Soto . "Coming off the bench, lefty bat, the versatility, defensively, pinch-running if we need to," Mendoza said about Mauricio.

"But also understanding that the playing time part is gonna be limited. But we're not talking about having a case here like last year, where he kind of sat on the bench for a long time. " With regular at-bats not available at the big league level, Mauricio -- who delivered a walk-off hit during the Mets' most recent win -- will be able to play nearly every day for Syracuse.

As far as Pham, he gives the Mets another outfield option. Luis Robert Jr. and Carson Benge have been starting most days, with Brett Baty , Tyrone Taylor , and Jared Young also getting time in the outfield with Soto out.

On days when Pham doesn't start, he'll be a valuable bat off the bench. Pham, who signed a minor league deal on Opening Day, had been getting into game shape in the minors. In 449 plate appearances over 120 games for the Pirates last season, Pham slashed .