NEW YORK -- As Kevin Plawecki begins his major league career, the 24-year-old catching prospect will have the player he is replacing alongside him to offer advice. In fact, Travis d'Arnaud went with Plawecki to dinner on Monday night, helping to prep Plawecki for his New York Mets debut.
D'Arnaud, who suffered a fractured bone in his right hand Sunday, resulting in Plawecki's promotion, shared with Plawecki how to go about his business at the major league level.
Plawecki, wearing No. 22, debuts Tuesday night against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field in the seventh slot in the lineup. A 24-year-old Purdue product, Plawecki was hitting .216 with six RBIs in 37 at-bats at Triple-A Las Vegas.
Plawecki will be the primary catcher, with Anthony Recker remaining the backup. Manager Terry Collins said Recker probably will start Thursday's matinee series finale against the Braves.
"To show what kind of guy Travis is, he was probably one of the first texts I got when I got the news I was coming up here," Plawecki said Tuesday afternoon. "He just told me that I was ready, and just to play my game and trust myself. We actually got dinner last night and went over a few things already. He's definitely going to be here for me. And I appreciate that."
Although excited about his debut, Plawecki indicated he preferred to have received the promotion for another reason besides d'Arnaud's injury. D'Arnaud was off to a hot start with the Mets, batting .317 with two homers and a team-leading 10 RBIs. He is expected to be in a sling for the next three weeks before resuming baseball activity.
"Given the circumstances, it's a little tough," Plawecki said. "Given Travis' injury, it's not an ideal situation -- not the way I really expected to come up. But I'm here. I'm happy to be here. I'm happy to be part of this team."
Plawecki hit .250 with one homer and five RBIs in 20 Grapefruit League at-bats.
"I kind of knew I was slotted for Triple-A," Plawecki said. "But I treated camp as if I was going to make the team, just to make sure I gave myself a chance to know this pitching staff and everybody else in the locker room, so when this time does come today I'm not going to miss a beat."
Plawecki said he caught everyone on the Mets' pitching staff during spring training, so he has familiarity with their preferences and quirks.
"I've got a pretty good understanding of everybody," Plawecki said. "It's just a matter of maybe doing it a little bit more right now. But I've definitely caught every single one of them at least once."
Known as an offensive catcher, Plawecki suggested his biggest strides have come behind the plate -- particularly with throwing out runners. He caught 23 percent of would-be base stealers last season while splitting the season between Las Vegas and Double-A Binghamton.
"We started last year in camp working on throwing, kind of quickening things up a little bit," Plawecki said. "I think that I've taken some good strides in the right direction. Obviously everything is still a work in progress, but I think I've come a long way in that sense."
As for his major league debut, Plawecki concluded: "I feel ready. I'm ready to go."