After another loss, Mets shake up roster with new pitcher and new outfielder

With eight losses in nine games, the New York Mets are shaking up the edges of their roster.

Before their series opener against the Atlanta Braves on Monday, the Mets signed lefty reliever Dicky Lovelady and placed him on the major-league roster. They also demoted infielder Luisangel Acuña to Triple A and recalled outfielder Travis Jankowski. They announced the moves Monday afternoon.

The moves came a day after the Mets demoted struggling catcher Francisco Alvarez to Triple A on Sunday.

Lovelady opted out of a minor-league deal with the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday after two months in Triple A, where he allowed three earned runs in 20 2/3 innings (1.31 ERA). Lovelady began the year with the Blue Jays but was cut on April 4 after giving up four earned runs in 1 2/3 innings over two appearances.

He will immediately be giving a chance in a Mets bullpen that is craving quality innings. Over the Mets’ 1-8 stretch, their pitching has a 6.37 ERA (bullpen is 6.38 ERA). Lovelady has a 5.26 ERA in his career over 101 innings.

The Acuña demotion is surprising only for its timing. There was a belief that he would be the odd man out when Mark Vientos returned from the injured list, which would likely be this week. But the Mets made the decision now and have recalled journeyman outfielder Jankowski, who figures to only last on the roster for as long as Vientos is sidelined.

While Acuña has been a quality defender and baserunner, he has not been an MLB-quality hitter. He has a .241/.293/.283 line (68 OPS+) over 158 plate appearances.