Jose Bautista has been through a season of changes, but the one thing he knows stays the same in the game of baseball has helped him deal with it.
The 37-year-old went from playing in 157 games just last season — the second-highest total of his 15-year career — to some of the most sporadic playing time he ever has had. And yet lately, he has found a way to make it irrelevant.
“When things change and you’re not getting the results you expect, you make adjustments,” Bautista said Saturday before homering for the second straight night, even though the Mets lost to the Dodgers again, 8-3, at Citi Field. “I think that’s a constant in this game. That’s the only permanent thing that exists is constantly having to make adjustments.”
The one thing that hasn’t changed for Bautista, though, is his eye at the plate. Going 2-for-3 with a double, a home run, a walk and two RBIs Saturday, the veteran reached base safely for the ninth straight game, a stretch in which he has 10 walks, a .615 on-base percentage and a .375 batting average.
With outfielders Yoenis Cespedes and Jay Bruce on the disabled list (and no definite timetables for either’s return), Bautista has an opportunity to capture more consistent playing time. He was in the lineup again, batting sixth and playing right field, his 15th start since making 10 with the Braves before they released him.
“I’m making strides in the right direction and I feel like I’m having good at-bats,” Bautista said. “I just want to maintain the consistency, so that’s what I’m hoping for.”
Overall, Bautista has a .268 average and a .455 OBP in 29 games since joining the club on May 22. He has walked in 24.7 percent of his plate appearances (19 of 77).
“I think what he’s done the best is take his walks,” said manager Mickey Callaway, who added he has been impressed by Bautista’s defense. “He’s still been patient.”
As a pinch-hitter with the Mets, Bautista is 3-for-9 with four walks.
Callaway said he was looking to get Dom Smith some occasional starts in the outfield against lefties, but Bautista’s strong at-bats have made that more difficult.
“I’m not really trying to go out of my way to do anything different,” Bautista said. “I know what I can do when I’m out at the plate. It’s just a matter of execution. I’m better when I’m swinging at strikes.”