Mets signed INF-OF Mike Baxter to a minor league contract.

He'll also get a spring training invite. Baxter, 27, was non-tendered by the Mets earlier this week in order to clear a spot on the 40-man roster. The Queens native went 8-for-34 (.235) with one home run and four RBI in 22 games with New York in 2011. The Mets could make some more additions in the coming weeks, but Baxter is in good position to win a reserve outfielder job at the moment.

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said he hopes to bring back Mike Baxter.

He couched that by saying Baxter's return depends on New York's alternate options. The Mets non-tendered Baxter on Monday. The 27-year-old went 8-for-34 (.235) with one home run and four RBI in 22 games with the Mets in 2011. The Queens native would have to settle for a minor league deal to return.

Mets non-tendered OF Mike Baxter.

The move makes room for the pending additions of free agent relievers Frank Francisco and Jon Rauch on the 40-man roster. Baxter, 27, went 8-for-34 (.235) with one home run and four RBI in 22 games with the Mets in 2011.

Mets recalled 1B-OF Mike Baxter from Triple-A Buffalo.

Baxter, who was claimed off waivers from the Padres in July, went 4-for-16 (.250) in a brief stint with the Mets last month. The Queens native will serve as a backup outfielder and first baseman down the stretch.

Mets optioned 1B-OF Mike Baxter to Triple-A Buffalo.

He was cleared to make room for Jose Reyes' return from the disabled list. Baxter went 4-for-16 (.250) with one double and one triple during his three-week stay with the big club. He'll likely return in September.

Mets recalled 1B-OF Mike Baxter from Triple-A Buffalo.

Baxter, 27, was claimed off waivers from the Padres last month. The 27-year-old went 1-for-8 as a September call-up with San Diego last season. He has experience in the outfield and at first base and will likely function as a lefty bat off the bench for Terry Collins.

The Mets are likely to recall Mike Baxter if Jose Reyes (hamstring) lands on the disabled list.

A 27-year-old first baseman, Baxter was claimed off waivers from the Padres last month and has tallied five RBI in 11 games at Triple-A Buffalo. Ruben Tejada was recalled from the minor leagues on Sunday to give the Mets more middle infield depth.

Mets claimed 1B-OF Mike Baxter off waivers from Padres.

Recently recovered from a thumb injury, Baxter was hitting .278/.413/.306 through his first 46 plate appearances for High-A Lake Elsinore. Now 26 years of age, Baxter has just eight major-league at-bats to his name, all of which came with the Padres last season.

Padres placed 1B-OF Mike Baxter on the 60-day disabled list with a thumb injury.

Baxter is expected to miss eight weeks following surgery on his left thumb. He was moved to the 60-day DL to make room for the newly-acquired Alberto Gonzalez on the 40-man roster.

Mike Baxter is expected to miss eight weeks following surgery on his left thumb.

He'll undergo the procedure Tuesday. Baxter injured the thumb diving for a ball against the Angels last Friday. The 26-year-old outfielder will likely return to Triple-A Portland once he's healthy enough.