With a shortage of outfielders and no timetable for Yoenis Cespedes to return from the disabled list, a source said the Mets are discussing signing veteran Jose Bautista, who was released by the Braves on Sunday.
Bautista, 37, went 5-for-35 (.143) with two home runs in 12 games for the Braves. The onetime Met farmhand played third base for Atlanta, but most of his career has been as an outfielder.
Bautista has 333 career home runs. In 2017, he hit .203 with 23 HRs for Toronto before being unwanted on the free agent market. He signed a minor-league deal with Atlanta on April 18.
Cespedes (hip flexor strain) is eligible to come off the disabled list on Thursday, but manager Mickey Callaway didn't make it seem as if that is likely on Monday.
"I'm not sure at this point," Callaway said. "He's just getting treatment right now."
The Mets are strapped for right-handed-hitting outfielders with the injuries to Cespedes and Juan Lagares (toe ligament tear), who will likely miss the rest of the season.
