NEW YORK – – Mets manager Mickey Callaway says the goal of the team with first-baseman Dom Smith is to foster young development

The challenge is to find the right place for this development.

at the Citi Field Nationals that the Mets are considering opting for Smith for the underage while he is fighting offensively in a limited playing time, and there seems to be momentum towards a demotion. Smith hit as a hitter in the seventh inning, and started only 15 of the last 29 games of the Mets

Mets left-handed Steven Matz (4-7), which is unlikely to be traded, allowed three points in 6 1/3 innings while being overtaken by Max Scherzer.

"He struggled on the plateau, sometimes looking indecisive," Callaway said of Smith, "We just have to constantly evaluate where he can get the best development."

Still there 39; future?

Mets chief executive Sandy Alderson called Smith a future first baseman of the team not so long ago, but Smith did not go out of his way. He did not even win despite victories and defeats, he started only 10 games in the first goal since his promotion on June 12 and has also made six starts in the left field. secondary osition.

The Mets could move Wilmer Flores to third base and play Smith at first base on a regular basis. base, but there are reservations about Flores' defense at the hot corner. The Mets are also willing to trade Flores, by one source, and it is best to enhance its value.

Smith did not help his cause by scoring 4-for-41 in his last 16 games with 16 strikeouts. It has in one way or another a single point produced in 27 parts.

"I know I'm able to do more offensive, play, not play, stuff like that," Smith said. "You have to find ways to keep quality sticks and grind them and bademble them one day at a time."

Smith said that he felt "OK" at the plate

"You know that if you have a bad match and you are not in alignment the next day, you are trying to do more or do more," Smith said. to weigh on your mind for sure. You want to play and want to do well and worry about other things. "

Will a downgrade work?

Demoting Smith makes theory since he would normally receive regular playing time, but the Mets have promoted the prospect Peter Alonso

The rise of Alonso gives an alternative to the team .. does not develop as the team's hopes , but Alonso came in Thursday with a .698 OPS with the AAA Las Vegas clbad.

Smith is a southpaw and Alonso is a right-handed man so a squad could work in theory, but that would not be ideal for their development. could always play in the outfield to allow both to get their leu rs bats in alignment, but his future is not like an outfielder.

A source said Smith could be optioned after the All-Star break. Alonso knows, he is not worried about what Alonso's rise in the organization means for his future. He's just focused on winning the coaches.

"You try to impress them every day and impress them with the work you do and your game," said Smith. "I try to play hard and do the right things and that's all I can control."

Difficult Appeal

Smith hit a hitter in a critical point on Thursday while he represented the tying point in the seventh inning with the Mets Trolling, 5-3 He heard some boos afterwards.

Although Matz played well in the loss, two homers Anthony Rendon foiled his night.

Matz allowed a two-point run in the first and a solo shot in the third, and one source said the Mets do not receive commercial information on the southpaw.

The southpaw finished the first half with a 3.38 ERA

"I felt very good there," Matz said. es, mainly on Rendon. I thought that they had a very good approach on me. It was a scuffle.

Leg lifter Jerry Blevins, whose struggles against leftists have plummeted, allowed Bryce Harper to get a two-point home run on the seventh hole that put the Mets in a hole in 5-2.

The Mets (37-54) found themselves in the round of 16, and Amed Rosario scored a double play with the tying point at the beginning. 19659006] "I think I'm trying to be too late," said Blevins, "every argument that I'm trying to make perfect and that obviously does not happen."

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