The Mets, desperate for offense, are calling up Tommy Pham, The Post confirmed.
Pham signed a minor league deal with the Mets on Opening Day and played five games with Low-A St. Lucie.
The 38-year-old spent last season with the Royals and has been a consistent hitter from the right side. He spent part of 2023 with the Mets before being traded to the Cardinals at the deadline.
The move to bring Pham up in time for the series-opener against the Dodgers on Monday in Los Angeles came after the Mets were shut out twice in three games by the A’s.
Mets left fielder Tommy Pham (28) celebrates a double in the eighth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Citi Field, Sunday, July 2, 2023. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
Juan Soto is on the IL with a strained calf and they decided not to play Luis Robert Jr. in Sunday’s 1-0 loss to the A’s, as he played five straight games and they are trying to keep the outfielder healthy following several leg injuries the previous two seasons with the White Sox.
Mendoza said he could only use Robert as a pinch-hitter “with the game on the line and be done. We didn’t have him for defense.”
Robert has been solid at the plate and not being able to use him is especially tough with Juan Soto out with a calf strain.
Without them, the Mets relied on Tyrone Taylor, Brett Baty and rookie Carson Benge in the outfield in Sunday’s loss and are hoping Pham can still provide some pop.
They will need to make a corresponding move to get Pham on the roster, although they do have room on the 40-man roster.
There had been thought Pham, due $2.25 million if he sticks in the majors, would soon get promoted to Triple-A Syracuse to get more at-bats.
Instead, the Mets will turn to him earlier than expected.
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