Mets released INF Zach Lutz.

Lutz is headed to Japan to play for the Rakuten Eagles. The 28-year-old batted .291/.386/.449 with seven homers and 37 RBI at Triple-A Las Vegas this season and was 7-for-31 during his brief time with the Mets the previous two years.

Mets optioned INF Zach Lutz to Triple-A Las Vegas.

Lutz hit .333/.361/.636 with three home runs this spring in 16 Grapefruit League games, but it wasn't enough to rise up the Mets' reserve infield depth chart.

Zach Lutz had a solo homer and an RBI single Wednesday against the Nationals.

Lutz has been one of the Mets' September callups the last two years and he also spent a little time in the majors last June, but there wouldn't seem to be any way for him to make the team this spring. He's pretty much the same player as Josh Satin -- a right-handed hitting corner infielder with decent averages and modest power -- but he's just not quite as good.

Mets recalled INF Zach Lutz from Triple-A Las Vegas.

The 27-year-old is enjoying a nice offensive season at the Triple-A level, hitting .293/.377/.479 with 13 homers and 80 RBI in 111 games. With the ability to adequately handle four positions defensively, Lutz could work his way into enough at-bats to be relevant in NL-only leagues.

Mets optioned INF Zach Lutz to Triple-A Las Vegas.

Lutz received just four at-bats during his brief time with the club. He should be back later this summer.

Mets recalled 1B Zach Lutz from Triple-A Las Vegas.

Lutz was recalled in place of Lucas Duda, who is dealing with a left intercostal strain. Lutz has played first base, third base and both corner outfield spots with Las Vegas this year, batting .286/.372/.481. He'll likely be utilized in a utility role with the Mets.

Mets optioned INF/OF Zach Lutz to Triple-A Las Vegas.

Lutz batted .308/.378/.415 this spring but failed to win a bench spot. He'll continue to work on his transition to the outfield at Triple-A.

The Mets are moving corner infielder Zach Lutz to the outfield.

Lutz, 26, hasn't played a single inning in the outfield as a pro, but if he can become adequate there it would greatly enhance his chances of winning a bench spot. The former fifth-round pick has had just 11 plate appearances at the major league level but batted .299/.410/.496 with 10 homers over 72 games last year at Triple-A.

Zach Lutz will have surgery Monday to repair a fractured left hamate bone.

Lutz injured himself on a swing earlier this month. The surgery usually takes about six weeks to recover from, so Lutz will be fine for spring training next year.

Zach Lutz injured his hand on a swing and will have it checked out Tuesday.

Lutz didn't appear in Monday's loss to the Nationals, so it's not clear how or when the injury took place. We'll likely hear an update at some point Tuesday.

Mets prospect infielder Zach Lutz was placed on the 7-day disabled list with Triple-A Buffalo due to a broken hamate bone.

More bad luck for Lutz, who dealt with two concussions, a broken finger and a hamstring injury last year. No official timetable for his return, but there's a good chance he's on the shelf until July. The 25-year-old had his first cup of coffee in the big leagues last month and went 1-for-8 with five strikeouts.

Zach Lutz will be demoted to Triple-A Buffalo on Monday, according to ESPN New York's Adam Rubin.

Andres Torres (calf) is expected to be activated from the disabled list Monday, necessitating a corresponding roster move. Lutz is a .289/.383/.490 hitter over parts of six seasons in the minors and was hitting .333 (21-for-63) with three homers and 10 RBI over his first 19 games with the Bisons this season.

Mets recalled INF Zach Lutz from Triple-A Buffalo.

He'll take the place of the injured Jason Bay (fractured rib) on the active roster. Lutz is a .289/.383/.490 hitter over parts of six seasons in the minors and was hitting .333 (21-for-63) with three homers and 10 RBI over his first 19 games with the Bisons this season. He'll function as a backup corner infielder and right-handed bat off the bench.