Mets recall Michael Conforto after placing Kirk Nieuwenhuis on DL

The New York Mets have placed outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis on the disabled list with a pinched nerve in his back and recalled top prospect Michael Conforto from Triple A Las Vegas to replace him.

The New York Mets have placed outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis on the disabled list with a pinched nerve in his back and recalled top prospect Michael Conforto from Triple A Las Vegas to replace him, the team announced Sunday. 

Conforto was optioned to Las Vegas on Saturday when the Mets added newly acquired outfielder Yoenis Cespedes to the roster. 

Conforto, 22, made his major-league debut earlier this month and had four hits, including two doubles, in 19 at-bats. He was the No. 10 pick in the 2014 draft and is ranked as the Mets’ No. 2 prospect by MLB.com. 

Nieuwenhuis’s injury has kept him out since Wednesday. He was traded to the Los Angeles Angels in May, reacquired two weeks later and sent to the minors. Since being promoted back to the majors last month, he is batting .317 with three home runs and four doubles in 17 games. 

- Dan Gartland