Mets officially promote A.J. Ewing, DFA Andy Ibáñez

TL;DR

The Mets have officially promoted A.J. Ewing and designated Andy Ibáñez for assignment. Ewing, ranked as a top prospect, will make his MLB debut against the Tigers.

Key points

A.J. Ewing promoted to the Mets
Andy Ibáñez designated for assignment
Ewing ranked No. 2 on MLB Pipeline's Mets prospects list
Ewing had an .827 OPS in Triple-A
Ewing will debut against the Tigers

New York MetsTampa Bay Rays

PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA - MARCH 19, 2026: A.J. Ewing #97 of the New York Mets bats during the third inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Clover Park on March 19, 2026 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images The Mets made the promotion of prospect A.J. Ewing official on Tuesday afternoon. In a corresponding move, Andy Ibáñez was designated for assignment. Ewing, who was ranked No. 6 on Amazin’ Avenue’s preseason prospect list and is currently ranked No. 2 on MLB Pipeline’s list of top Mets prospects, put up an .827 OPS in 12 games after being promoted to Triple-A Syracuse on April 27. The 21-year-old was selected by the Mets in the fourth round of the 2023 Draft (with a pick received as compensation for Jacob deGrom’s departure in free agency) and has thrived at every stage of the Minor Leagues. In his MLB debut against and the Tigers on Tuesday night, Ewing will play center field and bat eighth. He will also wear jersey No. 9, making him the first Met not named to sport that number since in 2015. Ewing’s presence isn’t the only shakeup in the lineup, as Carson Benge will bat leadoff for the first time since April 19 while bats third for the first time this season. After being claimed off waivers on April 30, Ibáñez went 0-for-6 with a pair of sacrifice flies in just three games with the Mets. Starting at third base in , he made a pair of costly throwing errors which Carlos Mendoza after the game.

Q&A

What are A.J. Ewing's stats before his MLB debut?

A.J. Ewing had an .827 OPS in 12 games after being promoted to Triple-A Syracuse.

Why was Andy Ibáñez designated for assignment by the Mets?

Andy Ibáñez was designated for assignment after going 0-for-6 with two sacrifice flies and making costly errors in his three games with the Mets.

What jersey number will A.J. Ewing wear for the Mets?

A.J. Ewing will wear jersey No. 9, the first Met to do so since Kirk Nieuwenhuis in 2015.