MILWAUKEE — Brett Baty is ready if the Mets need him, but otherwise he is content to just play the role of cheerleader in the postseason.
The third baseman, a member of the taxi squad, has been traveling with the team and got to celebrate Monday’s postseason-clinching victory in Atlanta.
But Baty was not added to the wild-card series roster.
Rosters can change each postseason round, leaving Baty in play if the Mets advance to the Division Series.
The Mets lost 5-3 to the Brewers in Game 2 on Wednesday, leaving the best-of-3 series tied, 1-1.
“It means a whole lot for sure just to be back here, put myself in a place to maybe make an impact,” Baty said. “I am really proud of the guys and the job they have done this year.”
Baty began the season as the Mets’ starting third baseman, but after his early struggles the team recalled Mark Vientos, who had a breakout year at the position.
Baty returned to Triple-A Syracuse and produced an .854 OPS in 62 games.
Baty was a candidate to be a Sept. 1 recall but sustained a fractured left index finger when he was struck by a pitch in late August.
The initial indication was Baty would miss the remainder of the season, but he returned during the final week of Syracuse’s season.
“They kind of laid it out for me and said if I push myself I might give myself an opportunity to help the postseason run,” Baty said. “I was all for that. I just pushed it and I responded well and here I am.”
Manager Carlos Mendoza said he isn’t checking in as much on Francisco Lindor’s back as he was last week when the shortstop was removed from the lineup and trying to return.
“We have just got to keep it this way,” Mendoza said. “The trainers are doing a hell of a job. He’s doing a hell of a job, investing time there and making sure he needs to do whatever it takes to be available for us, and he’s doing it.”
Francisco Alvarez had a rough series against the Brewers last weekend throwing out base stealers (the Brewers were 5-for-5 against him last Friday).
But the Brewers didn’t attempt a stolen base in Game 1 of this series. Wednesday Alvarez nailed Garrett Mitchell at second in the Brewers’ only steal attempt of the night.
The Mets catcher was asked before the game if there is a key to controlling the Brewers on the bases.
“I really think the key is the pitchers — they have to be a little bit quicker,” Alvarez said. “They have to change the tempo on every pitch and make them feel uncomfortable on the bases.”