NEW YORK -- With Jose Bautista playing top-notch baseball and Wilmer Flores on fire, it is understandable that first baseman Dominic Smith has slid into a bench role for the Mets as of late. The 23-year-old, who is still developing according to Mets manager Mickey Callaway, will have opportunities in the coming days.
"In the next few days we have a doubleheader, so they're all going to be starting quite a few games," Callaway said. "Obviously, if we were going day-to-day, I think Dom is probably best served off the bench. But the way we're looking probably until the All-Star break, we're going to get Dom more playing time and more starts as well.