Mets bring back Matt den Dekker on minor league contract

NEW YORK -- The Mets are bringing back Matt den Dekker, adding depth in the outfield as they wait for All-Star slugger Michael Conforto to get healthy.

New York announced Thursday that den Dekker was signed to a minor league contract and invited to big league spring training camp. He was traded by the Mets to the Washington Nationals for lefty reliever Jerry Blevins in March 2015.

Drafted by the Mets in 2010, den Dekker played in 80 games for them in 2013 and 2014. He is a .234 career hitter with seven home runs in 158 major league games with the Mets, Nationals and Tigers.

A solid defender, the 30-year-old den Dekker played in four games for Detroit last year. He also spent time in the Miami Marlins' organization, batting a combined .250 with eight homers, 29 RBIs and 10 stolen bases for Triple-A New Orleans and Triple-A Toledo.

Conforto is expected to be out until at least May as he recovers from shoulder surgery.

Along with pitcher Jacob deGrom and catcher Travis d'Arnaud, the move once again gives the Mets three players whose last name begins with a lowercase d.