Mets reportedly traded for OF Jesse Winker from Nationals

ST. LOUIS — The New York Mets acquired outfielder Jesse Winker from the Washington Nationals on Saturday, adding a left-handed bat in their push for the playoffs.

Winker learned about the trade during the Nationals’ 14-3 victory over St. Louis. Saturday night. The teams did not immediately disclose terms of the trade, which was first reported by ESPN.com.

“Obviously there were rumors and I was told during the game that I was traded,” Winker said after scoring twice and running. “It really was that simple.”

Winker, a 2021 All-Star with Cincinnati, rebuilt his career with the Nationals after receiving an invite to spring training. He entered Saturday night’s game with a .372 on-base percentage, ranking eighth in the National League.

Winker is hitting .257 with 11 home runs and a career-high 14 stolen bases this season.

It was the second trade in two days for the Mets, who hold the third wild-card spot in the NL after losing to Atlanta on Saturday night. new York acquired reliever Ryne Stanek in Friday deal with Seattle.

The Mets have been without right fielder Starling Marte (knee) since late June.

“I’m excited. I’m going to be part of a great team that’s been winning a lot. It’s a wonderful opportunity and obviously I’m extremely grateful to everyone here for the opportunity to come and play every day,” Winker said.

“And I’m really grateful for (general manager Mike Rizzo) and (manager) Davey (Martinez) and everyone, they really took a chance on me. And I feel like I owe them a lot for that. So I’m grateful.”

Martinez said he thought when Winker joined Washington in spring training that the 31-year-old still had “more in the tank” and was fresh off injuries over the past two seasons. He soon became part of the Nationals’ everyday lineup.

“He kept everyone loose, but he cared. He cared a lot about the players around him, his teammates,” Martinez said. “He helped our young people. He’s very crafty when it comes to guys playing against him. He did everything we asked him to do.”

Winker was born in Buffalo, New York, and said he is still “very connected” to the area and is a Buffalo Bills fan.

“I appreciate everything he did. I appreciate the way he treated me. I have nothing but respect for him and his family,” Martinez said. “I wish him all the luck.”