MIKE FITZPATRICK
AP Sports Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Lamar Johnson has a lot of catching up to do in his new job as Mets hitting coach.

Promoted back to the big leagues Monday when the team fired Dave Hudgens, Johnson joined the New York staff before Tuesday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

His task? Figure out a way to help a struggling lineup that began the day ranked last in the National League with a .352 slugging percentage.

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