Mets keep C Kevin Plawecki, option Anthony Recker to minors

NEW YORK (AP) Rookie catcher Kevin Plawecki is staying with the New York Mets for now.

The team optioned incumbent backup Anthony Recker to Triple-A Las Vegas on Sunday and decided to keep Plawecki around as starter Travis d'Arnaud works his way back into peak condition.

After missing 46 games with a broken right pinkie, d'Arnaud returned Wednesday. But the Mets don't want to wear him out, so Plawecki will get enough playing time in the near future to make keeping him in the majors worthwhile, manager Terry Collins said.

''He's such a good prospect, we're not going to just let him sit on the bench,'' Collins said. ''Now, when Travis is ready to play like normal, we'll have to make another decision, see how this is working.''

Recker, batting .143 with two homers, was sent down to make room for pitcher Dillon Gee, activated from the bereavement list to start Sunday's series finale against Atlanta.

''One of the things that's really important for Reck is, when he plays, he's dangerous. And he's just got to get some at-bats,'' Collins said. ''So this was an opportunity for him to go down to Triple-A and get some at-bats and hopefully find his swing and get back here and help out.''

New York also reinstated Ruben Tejada from the paternity leave list and optioned fellow infielder Danny Muno to Las Vegas.

Tejada started at third base. Muno made three errors at third during Saturday's 11-inning loss, tying a team record.

Mets closer Jeurys Familia also rejoined the team after missing Saturday's game to spend time with his new son, born while he was finishing off Friday night's win.

Without Familia, the Mets blew a two-run lead in the ninth. But he may have been unavailable anyway after pitching the previous two days.

The 24-year-old Plawecki had not played in a week because of a sinus condition that was causing dizziness. But he's feeling much better and is penciled in to catch Monday night against Toronto.

''I'm excited to get back out and start playing again,'' he said.

Plawecki was batting .211 with two home runs and 13 RBIs.

''That whole condition was a little bit scary for me,'' said Plawecki, who has been taking antibiotics. ''I really never had sinus problems before. Definitely glad we were able to pinpoint the cause of what was going on.''

Plawecki described feeling light-headed and said the right side of his sinus cavity was completely blocked.

''In the mornings was rough,'' he said. ''It was really uncomfortable.''