SAN FRANCISCO — Marlon Byrd isn’t an official All-Star, but within the context of the Mets season, he fits that description.
The veteran outfielder was in the middle of another Mets uprising yesterday, smashing a two-run homer in his team’s 7-2 victory over the Giants at AT&T Park.
A night earlier, Byrd hit an eighth-inning grand slam. He will head into the final weekend before the All-Star break with 15 homers and 49 RBIs.
Byrd hit a career-high 20 homers with Texas in 2009, but otherwise had never hit more than 12 in a season before this year.
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“I knew I had the ability, and every year I’ve always wanted to be a 15-, 20- homer guy, but to do it like I’ve done is kind of shocking,” Byrd said. “Especially when I didn’t have any expectations except coming in and making the team. What I’m doing now is just one of those things where I try to enjoy the ride.”
* Scott Atchison could be in position to rejoin the Mets after the All-Star break as he continues a rehab assignment in the Gulf Coast League. The veteran right-hander was placed on the disabled list on May 14 with elbow soreness and returned to the Mets on June 18. But before he could pitch once, Atchison strained a right groin, throwing warmup tosses after entering a game at Turner Field, landing back on the DL.
* Justin Turner [rib cage] has begun hitting off a tee in Port St. Lucie, and Lucas Duda [rib cage] is participating in baseball activities but not yet swinging a bat. Mets manager Terry Collins said he has begun considering scenarios for the outfield once Duda returns, but that he probably won’t seriously weigh the situation until later in the month.
* Travis d’Arnaud, who is recovering from a broken foot, still has occasional discomfort while running, according to Collins.
“But it’s all part of getting in shape,” Collins said.