TORONTO — DJ Stewart is receiving another chance.
The Mets outfielder/designated hitter was passed over for a spot when rosters expanded on Sept. 1 and the odds seemed great that other than a three-day hitch filling in for J.D. Martinez on paternity leave he would finish the season at Triple-A Syracuse.
Jeff McNeil’s fractured right wrist that will keep him out for the remainder of the regular season changed the equation.
Stewart not only returned last weekend to provide a lefty bat off the bench but Tuesday he was thrust into the starting lineup as the right fielder in the Mets’ 6-2 loss to the Blue Jays.
Stewart has a .177/.325/.297 slash line after going 1-for-3 with two strikeouts.
“I have got 13 position players and they are going to get opportunities,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “[Stewart] is here for a reason and we feel good, that he is going to give us a good at-bat.”
Mendoza said he didn’t want to play Starling Marte all three games on the artificial turf at Rogers Centre and valued the extra lefty bat in the lineup. Jesse Winker started in left field with Brandon Nimmo in center.
Paul Blackburn wasn’t showing improvement from the lower back tightness that scratched his scheduled return to the rotation on Monday.
Mendoza said the right-hander will miss at least another start and it will be decided after Wednesday’s game if Blackburn should continue with the team to Philadelphia or return to New York.
Tylor Megill, who fired six shutout innings in Blackburn’s spot on Monday, will remain in the rotation and pitch either Sunday in Philadelphia or next week at Citi Field against the Nationals.
Thursday’s off day gives Mendoza the option of using David Peterson on normal rest against the Phillies on Sunday.
Blackburn has missed three starts while on the injured list.
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The first two were the result of a contusion he received on his right hand from a line drive.
Sean Reid-Foley was named this year’s recipient of the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award.
The right-hander was recognized for his dedication connecting to the military community and living out core values of service, sacrifice, citizenship and legacy.
Eddy Alvarez (0-for-2) was in the starting lineup at second base, batting ninth.
The Mets acquired the 34-year-old infielder in a trade with the Red Sox on Sunday.
He scored the go-ahead run for the Mets on Monday as a pinch runner in the eighth inning, racing home from third base on a passed ball.
