The New York Mets have designated former top prospect MJ Melendez for assignment, cutting ties with the player they brought in on a one-year, $1.5 million contract back in February.
Melendez's tenure in New York was a difficult one by the numbers. He slashed .192/.315/.350 during his time with the club — a line that left little room for argument when the organization decided to make a change.
Melendez was once considered one of baseball's more intriguing catching prospects, which made his struggles with the Mets all the more notable. His release adds another chapter to what has been a challenging stretch in his career.
The Mets have been mired near the bottom of the National League East standings, and while Melendez was not solely responsible for the team's struggles, his bat was not the answer the organization was looking for when they inked him ahead of the season.
