DJ STEWART NEWS

Inks MiLB deal with Pittsburgh The Pirates signed Stewart to a minor-league contract Wednesday, Michael Mayer of MetsmerizedOnline.com reports.

Impact Stewart managed an .840 OPS over 58 games with the Mets in 2023 but fell off to a .622 OPS across 74 contests for them in 2024. The 31-year-old is right at league average with a career 100 OPS+, so he's not a bad depth option on a minors pact.

JANUARY 16 • ROTOWIRE

Chooses free agency Stewart elected free agency Monday, Michael Mayer of MetsmerizedOnline.com reports.

Impact Stewart passed through waivers unclaimed but will test out free agency rather than accepting an outright assignment. He slashed only .177/.325/.297 in 74 contests for the Mets in 2024.

NOVEMBER 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Optioned to Triple-A The Mets optioned Stewart to Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday.

Impact Stewart went 1-for-4 with three strikeouts while appearing in two games during his latest stint in the majors, and he'll now be sent back to the minors in favor of Luisangel Acuna. Stewart may still return to Queens before the end of the season, though he's unlikely to serve as more than bench depth.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled by Mets The Mets recalled Stewart from Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday.

Impact The move corresponds with Jeff McNeil being placed on the 10-day injured list with a fractured right wrist. Stewart made a brief appearance with the big club this past week when J.D. Martinez went on paternity leave, and the former went 1-for-3 with one run scored against the Red Sox on Sept. 2. In the majors this season, Stewart is slashing .175/.326/.299 with five home runs and 19 RBI across 190 plate appearances.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Optioned to Triple-A The Mets optioned Stewart to Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Impact He joined the club earlier this week when J.D. Martinez went on paternity leave, but with Martinez back on the active roster Stewart will head back to the minors. Stewart got one start during his most recent stint with the big club, going 1-for-3 with a run scored.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Back in majors The Mets recalled Stewart from Triple-A Syracuse on Monday, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Impact With J.D. Martinez set to miss the next several games while on paternity leave, Stewart will now come up from the minors to fill the open roster spot and could potentially fill in as the Mets' designated hitter. Since being sent to Syracuse in July, the 30-year-old has slashed .275/.444/.435 across 90 plate appearances.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Optioned to Syracuse The Mets optioned Stewart to Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday.

Impact The move is to make room on the 26-man roster for outfielder Jesse Winker, who was acquired by the Mets on Saturday. Stewart has struggled in July, batting 3-for-25 with six walks and eight strikeouts and has a slash line of .172/.326/.298 across 187 major-league plate appearances this season.

JULY 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Back on bench Wednesday Stewart is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Dodgers.

Impact Stewart had started in each of the past four games while Harrison Bader received two days off and with Starling Marte and J.D. Martinez both resting once. With the exception of catcher Francisco Alvarez (thumb), the Mets have all their key hitters available at the moment, so Stewart still looks to be part-time player despite the recent uptick in starting opportunities.

MAY 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

First hit of season leaves yard Stewart went 1-for-3 with a walk and a two-run home run in Monday's win over Atlanta.

Impact The 30-year-old came into the game having gone 0-for-10 to start the season, but Stewart broke a 5-5 tie in the eighth inning by launching a Pierce Johnson curveball over the fence in center field. Stewart has been the Mets' regular DH against right-handed pitching to begin the season, but he'll lose that role -- and potentially even his spot on the 26-man roster -- when J.D. Martinez (body soreness) is ready to make his debut for the club.

APRIL 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Gets Saturday off Stewart isn't in the Mets' lineup for Saturday's game against the Reds.

Impact After starting the year 0-for-8, Stewart will step out of New York's lineup Saturday to regroup. His absence will shift Brandon Nimmo into the DH spot, allowing Tyrone Taylor to start in left field.

APRIL 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Resting in nightcap Stewart isn't in the Mets' lineup for Game 2 of Thursday's twin bill against the Tigers.

Impact Stewart failed to record a hit in two at-bats during the first game of Thursday's slate, making him 0-for-11 to begin the new campaign. His absence will move Brandon Nimmo into the DH spot, allowing Tyrone Taylor to start in left field while batting sixth.

APRIL 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Swats first spring homer Stewart went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals.

Impact Getting the start in left field and batting leadoff, Stewart took Trevor Williams deep in the first inning for his first long ball of the spring. The 30-year-old outfielder revived his career with the Mets last season, but he slumped in September and hasn't looked any better at the plate in camp, batting .200 (5-for-25) with Friday's homer being his only extra-base hit. He's still penciled into a spot on the Mets' Opening Day bench.

MARCH 16, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Avoids arb at $1.38M Stewart signed a one-year, $1.38 million contract with the Mets on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Impact Stewart had to settle for a minor-league contract last winter, but he made his way up to Queens in early July and went on to post an .840 OPS with 11 home runs across 58 major-league games. The 29-year-old corner outfielder looks poised to get regular starts against right-handers in 2024.

NOVEMBER 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sits out first game Stewart is absent from the lineup for the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Marlins, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Impact The Marlins are throwing southpaw Braxton Garrett, so the left-handed hitting Stewart will take a seat. He'll likely be back out there for the nightcap against righty Johnny Cueto.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Hits bench versus lefty Stewart is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Marlins.

Impact Tim Locastro, Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil will start across the outfield for the Mets as they take on left-hander Braxton Garrett. Stewart has batted just .188 with a .694 OPS in 41 plate appearances versus southpaws this year. He carries a .959 OPS in 126 plate appearances versus righties.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to lineup Stewart (wrist) will bat fifth and play right field Saturday against the Phillies.

Impact Stewart had been out since Tuesday while dealing with a sore wrist. He's hit .264/.342/.557 in 50 games for the Mets this season and could get plenty of opportunities over the final eight games.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Out again with sore wrist Stewart (wrist) remains out of the lineup Friday at Philadelphia.

Impact Stewart is on the Mets' bench for a third straight game due to lingering wrist discomfort. Rafael Ortega, Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil will start across the outfield Friday versus the Phillies and right-hander Taijuan Walker.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Remains out Thursday Stewart (wrist) isn't in the Mets' lineup Thursday against the Phillies, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Impact Stewart was seen with an ice wrap around his wrist Wednesday, and the issue is apparently still severe enough to hold him out of Thursday's contest. Tim Locastro, Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil will make up the Mets' outfield while Stewart recovers.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Scratched from lineup Stewart was scratched from the lineup Wednesday at Miami due to an apparent wrist injury, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Impact Stewart was spotted with a large ice wrap on his wrist before the game, though there's no word yet as to the severity of the issue. Jeff McNeil will shift from left field to right field as Rafael Ortega enters the Mets' lineup in left.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to lineup Stewart (back) is starting in right field and batting sixth Saturday against Minnesota.

Impact Back tightness has kept Stewart out of the Mets' last three games, but the issue has seemingly subsided ahead of Saturday's contest. The 29-year-old outfielder was on a tear before missing time with four home runs across his last five games.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Remains out of lineup Stewart (back) is out of the lineup again Friday at Minnesota.

Impact Stewart hasn't played since Sunday due to lower-back tightness, though he might have been held out Friday either way as the Mets prepare to face left-hander Dallas Keuchel. Tim Locastro is covering left field and Mark Vientos will handle DH duties.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Remains sidelined Wednesday Stewart (back) remains absent from the lineup Wednesday against the Nationals.

Impact Stewart will miss a second straight game due to lower-back tightness. Jeff McNeil, Brandon Nimmo and Rafael Ortega are starting across the outfield for the visiting Mets as they take on right-hander Joan Adon.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting with back tightness Stewart is out of the lineup Tuesday at Washington due to lower-back tightness, Britt Ghiroli of The Athletic reports.

Impact Stewart might have been on the bench anyway with the Nationals throwing left-hander Patrick Corbin, but this back discomfort is something to monitor moving forward. Stewart has put up a stellar .971 OPS with 10 homers and 21 RBI across 39 games (114 plate appearances) since being selected to the Mets' major-league roster in June.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

On bench vs. southpaw Stewart is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Nationals, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Impact The 29-year-old started the previous four games but will sit Tuesday with lefty Patrick Corbin pitching for Washington. Stewart has a .333/.387/.860 slash line with nine homers and 18 RBI in 16 games dating back to Aug. 15, though every start during that stretch came against a right-handed pitcher. Jeff McNeil will shift to right field while Tim Locastro starts in left.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Slugs two more homers Stewart went 2-for-4 with a pair of home runs and four RBI in a 6-5 extra-inning win against Texas on Wednesay.

Impact Stewart paired with Daniel Vogelbach for the second of back-to-back jacks in the second inning and added a two-run shot in the eighth. He also was credited with a walk-off RBI when he was hit by a pitch with the based loaded in the 10th. Stewart has been red-hot for about two weeks, belting eight long balls and collecting 15 RBI while batting .378 over his past 13 contests. Prior to the power surge, Stewart had swatted just one home run while hitting .171 over his first 24 games of the season.

AUGUST 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE