Jay Bruce

Mets send Jay Bruce back to the bench for battle with Braves

New York Mets outfielder Jay Bruce is out of the starting lineup on Wednesday night against the Atlanta Braves.

What It Means:

Bruce rode the pine for back-to-back games Sunday and Monday before going 0-for-3 in Tuesday's loss to the Braves, finishing his night on the sidelines after being taken out for a pinch-hitter. Alejandro De Aza is starting in center field and Curtis Granderson is manning right on Wednesday versus Braves right-hander Ryan Weber.

Bruce has struggled to a .176/.255/.289 slash in 157 plate appearances since being traded from the Cincinnati Reds at the August 1 deadline.