Mark Canha ‘used to’ part-time role amid Mets’ new additions

Mark Canha spent the past two years playing every day for Oakland and began this season with the same kind of work schedule for the Mets. 

Now a semi-regular, following the emergence of left-handed bats in the lineup, including Tyler Naquin’s trade-deadline arrival, the veteran outfielder is trying to produce when his turn arrives. 

He was absent Monday’s starting lineup, a day after delivering a two-run double against the Braves. 

“I am kind of used to it and it doesn’t bother me,” Canha said before being used as a pinch-runner in the Mets’ 5-1 win over the Reds at Citi Field. “Honestly, I want to be in the big leagues and play winning baseball. 

“Not to mention the way the schedule is constructed this year, it’s pretty condensed and I don’t know if I would make it if I had to play 162 games. I don’t think my body would hold up. I think a lot of the best teams are doing this, giving guys rest and using everybody on the roster.” 

Canha, who arrived on a two-year contract worth $26.5 million, has earned high marks for his demeanor throughout. 

“If you look up ‘professional’ and ‘winning player,’ Mark fits both of those,” Buck Showalter said. “This guy, he’s been just solid since the day he got to Port St. Lucie and I could see why he was so coveted by our organization. He is a very articulate, smart guy who really understands the end game and he wants to win. Don’t ever underestimate his want to play and contribute. He’s a get-after-it guy. I like Mark a lot.” 

The Mets promoted Brett Baty — their first-round pick in the 2019 draft — to Triple-A Syracuse. The third baseman owned a .312/.406/.544 slash line with 19 homers and 59 RBIs in 89 games for Double-A Binghamton. He joins the organization’s top prospect, catcher Francisco Alvarez, at Syracuse. 

Showalter has grown to appreciate the pageantry that accompanies Edwin Diaz’s entrance into a game at Citi Field. The manager said he had to leave the dugout for a bathroom break before the ninth inning started Sunday, but waited until after Diaz entered to his customary “Narco,” with horns blaring. 

“I said, ‘I am going to stay here and watch this,’ ” Showalter said. “I don’t care how you feel about all that stuff — that is pretty good. I stayed there.” 

Sunday’s SNY broadcast was the second most-watched in the history of the network. The broadcast drew 555,000 viewers, according to the network. Only the Mets’ final regular-season game in 2008, which drew 806,047 viewers, was more watched. The series against the Braves averaged 462,000 viewers, an SNY record.