LONDON Brett Batys parting me sage from Mets officials before he returned to Triple-A Syracuse last week included mention of his receiving games at second base. So far it has only been pregame work at second, Baty said Friday following his return to the Mets as the 27th player Yeuris Ramirez Jersey afforded to each team for the But it could be another indication of Jeff McNeils standing in the organization. Baty returned to the Mets as the 27th player afforded to the London Series. Getty Images McNeil was on the bench for the (all against left-handed starters in Washington) and could face a similar fate Saturday with the Phillies scheduled to start Ranger Suarez. Its been a while since [McNeil] played, but hes a profe sional, manager Carlos Mendoza said. He continues to work and continues to care and he will be ready when his name is called. I just think mentally he wants to do better because he cares and he wants to contribute and its been hard for him. We need Jeff McNeil to be Jeff McNeil and I am pretty confident that he will get there. New York Mets second base Jeff McNeil holding a bat during the Mets workout at London Stadium. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Jose Iglesias has provided a boost with his right-handed bat as the starter at second base the last three games in McNeils spot. The veteran Iglesias owns an .865 OPS overall in five games. It has been a struggle for McNeil, whose last plate appearance came in Sundays lo s to the Diamondbacks. Overall, hes slashed .227/.296/.320 with three homers and 14 RBIs. Explore More Baty, who was displaced at third base by Mark Vientos, has appeared in two games for Syracuse and hit two homers. He had just arrived in St. Paul, Minn., on Monday when he received word that the Mets would be taking him to London. Baty returned to New York for his pa sport and then joined the Mets in Washington before they boarded their charter to fly acro s the pond late Wednesday night. McNeils last plate appearance was Sunday against the Diamondbacks. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST When you are in this busine s, you are kind of just ready for anything, Baty said. Baty recounted the conversation he had with president of baseball operations David Stearns and Mendoza last week before he was optioned to Syracuse. Just that, Were going to send you down and its not permanent, and you are going to get some reps at second, Baty said. Baty said he likes the plan. I love defensive versatility and I have always loved it, he said. I played all different positions in high school and I love moving all around the field. Forrest Whitley Jersey