Mets Demote Lucas Duda to Triple-A

The New York Mets have optioned outfielder/first baseman Lucas Dude to Triple-A, the team has announced:

#Mets roster moves: Lucas Duda has been optioned to Buffalo (AAA).

— New York Mets (@Mets) July 24, 2012

It was reported yesterday that the Mets were expected to demote Dude to the minors in order to make room on their roster for top prospect Matt Harvey, who is scheduled to start Thursday.

Duda performed well for the Mets last season, hitting at a clip of .292/.370/.482 over 301 at-bats, but the 26-year-old hasn’t been able to reproduce the effort this year. Through 307 at-bats in 2012, Duda had only mustered a line of .241/.335/.391.

After starting the season off with a .780 OPS through the month of April, Duda’s numbers dipped in May and June. He’s struggled mightily this month, only managing a clip of .140/.260/.233 over 43 July at-bats.

Jordany Valdespin manned right field for the Mets last night, Duda's regular position, but Scott Hairston and Kirk Nieuwenhuis have also appeared there this season.

_______________________________________________________________________

Will Duda be back with the Mets this season?

_______________________________________________________________________