Mets acquire outfielder Jesse Winker from Nationals for Double-A pitcher Tyler Stuart

NEW YORK (AP) — The resurgent New York Mets strengthened their lineup for a postseason run, obtaining outfielder Jesse Winker from the Washington Nationals for a minor league pitcher in a trade that was finalized Sunday.

Washington acquired 6-foot-9 right-hander Tyler Stuart, who was 3-7 with a 3.96 ERA in 17 starts for Double-A Binghamton this season. The 24-year-old Stuart was selected by New York in the sixth round of the 2022 amateur draft out of Southern Mississippi.

Winker adds a dangerous left-handed bat to a Mets offense that’s been one of the best in baseball over the past two months. He figures to start in the outfield against right-handers, giving New York even more punch with right fielder Starling Marte on the injured list since late June because of a bone bruise in his right knee.

To make room for Winker on the roster, outfielder DJ Stewart was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse before Sunday’s game against Atlanta.

New York began the day 55-49, a half-game back of Atlanta for second place in the NL East and the league’s top wild card. Since dropping 10 games behind the Braves on June 2, the Mets were 31-14. Atlanta snapped New York’s five-game winning streak Saturday behind a dominant pitching performance from rookie Spencer Schwellenbach in a 4-0 victory.

Winker hit .257 with 11 home runs, 45 RBIs and a .793 OPS in 101 games for Washington. He also had 14 stolen bases, 13 more than his previous career high, and ranked eighth in the National League with a .374 on-base percentage.

He learned of the trade Saturday night during the Nationals’ 14-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals — although the teams didn’t announce the deal until Sunday morning.

“Obviously, there was rumblings and I was just kind of told during the game that I was traded,” Winker said in St. Louis after going 2 for 3 with an RBI. “It was really that simple.”

Winker, who turns 31 next month, was an All-Star for Cincinnati in 2021 before a down year with Seattle in 2022 and an injury-wrecked one with Milwaukee in 2023.

He revived his career with the Nationals after signing a minor league contract in February that included an invitation to spring training. He is earning a $2 million salary this season and can become a free agent again after the World Series.

Winker was born in Buffalo, N.Y., and he’s enjoyed a playful back-and-forth with Mets fans at Citi Field over the years, drawing boos for waving at them following big home runs and a sliding catch to end a game.

“I’m excited,” Winker said Saturday night. “I’m going to be a part of a great team that’s been winning a lot. It’s a wonderful opportunity, and then obviously I’m extremely thankful for everybody here (with the Nationals), the opportunity to come and play and play every day.”