NEW YORK (AP) — Brett Baty almost became an afterthought as he slipped down the New York Mets' depth chart.
Think again.
A once-prized prospect who had lost his luster, Baty is finally beginning to break out in the big leagues. The 25-year-old infielder continued a surprising resurgence Tuesday night with his fourth home run in five days, a tiebreaking shot in the seventh inning that sent New York to a 2-1 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
“I’ve always thought I would be capable of doing whatever I wanted to accomplish in this game,” Baty said. “I’m having some success right now and it's nice.”
Recalled from the minors last week, Baty is batting .333 (13 for 39) with five homers and eight extra-base hits in his last 12 starts for the Mets.
“Confidence. Guy that knows he belongs in the big leagues. And just having fun. He's preparing, he’s going out there, keeping it simple, getting good pitches to hit and just not overthinking it,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “I’m just glad that he’s finally settling in and getting comfortable at this level.”
Selected 12th overall by the Mets in the 2019 amateur draft, Baty squandered a couple of opportunities to hold down the everyday job at third base as he struggled at the plate the past two years. He was demoted to the minors in 2024 and spent much of the season with Triple-A Syracuse.
Meanwhile, buddy Mark Vientos took hold of the hot corner by hitting .266 with 27 homers, 71 RBIs and an .837 OPS last year — and then having a huge postseason.
Baty started playing some second base in the minors to provide versatility, and he made New York's opening-day roster this year in a part-time bench role, with second baseman and outfielder Jeff McNeil on the injured list. But when McNeil returned April 24, it was back to Syracuse for Baty.
Mendoza, however, said he told Baty he was being sent down only because of the roster crunch — not because he didn't perform well. And that message seems to have made a difference.
“I feel like every young player, when they first come up to the big leagues, they’re always looking to impress or trying to do a little too much, trying to have success or results out of the gate,” Mendoza said. “And sometimes it takes a lot longer for guys. This guy performed at the minor league level and then for some reason it took some time for him to get comfortable here.”
It wasn't long before Baty was back in New York. He got recalled May 5 when fellow left-handed hitter Jesse Winker went on the injured list — and Baty has taken off since.
“I think everybody’s journey in this game is different and I’m thankful for every single part of mine, for sure," he said.
With two outs in the seventh Tuesday night, Baty lined a 1-1 changeup from Pirates starter Mitch Keller the other way and off the railing just above the left-field wall at Citi Field to give the Mets a 2-1 lead.
“I thought it was a line drive maybe over the left fielder’s head," Mendoza said. “Just kept on going. Pretty impressive. Big league power right there.”
It was Baty's fifth major league home run this season and fourth in his last four games with a plate appearance. He's raised his batting average to .239 with a productive .791 OPS in 25 games.
“I just feel like right now, I’m kind of focused on driving the pitch that I want to drive instead of just swinging at strikes,” said Baty, who started at second base and shifted to third for defense in the ninth.
His teammates on the first-place Mets (28-15) have taken notice, too.
“I love having him on the team. I think he looks very confident up there, and he has the potential and the power to hit it out of the ballpark at any part of the ballpark,” Mets pitcher Kodai Senga said through a translator. “If he was an opposing hitter, I think any pitcher would not like to face him.”
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New York Mets' Brett Baty follows through on a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
LONDON (AP) — King Charles III has been “deeply touched” by the response to his update on his cancer treatment, Buckingham Palace said Saturday, adding that the monarch is pleased to have highlighted the value of screening programs for the disease.
Medics and health charities have praised the king for his openness, saying his statement on Friday had already prompted people to seek information about cancer.
In a strikingly personal video statement, the British monarch acknowledged that a cancer diagnosis can feel “overwhelming,” but said catching the disease early brings “the precious gift of hope.”
Here’s what to know about the king's condition and his message.
The 77-year-old king said in a statement broadcast Friday that his treatment schedule will be reduced in the new year, “thanks to early diagnosis, effective intervention and adherence to ‘doctors’ orders.’”
He encouraged others to take advantage of screening programs such as those for breast, bowel and cervical cancer offered by Britain’s public health service.
“Early diagnosis quite simply saves lives,” the king said in the statement aired during a “Stand Up to Cancer” telethon on TV station Channel 4. He said catching the disease early had allowed him “to continue leading a full and active life even while undergoing treatment.”
Charles has received outpatient treatment for almost two years. Buckingham Palace did not say the king is in remission, but that his treatment is moving to a “precautionary phase” and his condition will be monitored to ensure his continued recovery.
“I know from my own experience that a cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming,” the king said in his video statement. “Yet I also know that early detection is the key that can transform treatment journeys, giving invaluable time to medical teams – and, to their patients, the precious gift of hope.”
Charles announced in February 2024 that he had been diagnosed with cancer, and, in a break from centuries of secrecy about royal health, he has since spoken about the illness, using his story to promote cancer awareness and treatment.
The openness has limits, though. The king has not disclosed what type of cancer he has or what kind of treatment he is receiving. The palace said it was an intentional decision designed to ensure his message reaches the widest possible audience.
The king’s cancer was discovered after treatment for an enlarged prostate. While doctors ruled out prostate cancer, tests revealed “a separate issue of concern,” palace officials said last year.
Charles suspended his public appearances for about two months after his diagnosis. Since returning to the public eye, he has visited cancer treatment centers across the country and shared stories with fellow patients.
Buckingham Palace said Charles “will be greatly encouraged and deeply touched by the very positive reaction" his message has generated. “He will be particularly pleased at the way it has helped to shine a light on the benefits of cancer screening programs,” it added.
British cancer charities said the number of people seeking information about cancer jumped after the king revealed he was undergoing treatment last year.
Cancer Research U.K. said about 100,000 people have visited its Screening Checker website since it was launched on Dec. 5, most of them since the king’s statement on Friday.
The charity's Chief Executive Michelle Mitchell said: “When public figures speak openly about their cancer diagnosis, it can prompt others to check in on their health.”
Broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby, the king’s authorized biographer, said the statement was “a remarkable thing for a monarch to do.”
“It takes guts, and the fact that he came out and did that will save lives,’” Dimbleby said.
The Princess of Wales, who announced her own cancer diagnosis six weeks after her father-in-law, has also given updates on her treatment. Kate announced in January that her cancer is in remission.
Find more of AP’s coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/royalty
Britain's King Charles III attends an Advent Service at Westminster Abbey, in London, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (Chris Jackson/Pool Photo via AP)
Britain's King Charles III attends an Advent Service at Westminster Abbey, in London, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (Chris Jackson/Pool Photo via AP)
