Hietpas promoted to Triple-A

Catcher Joe Hietpas was promoted to Triple-A Norfolk from Double-A Binghamton following Friday's game, the Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin reported.

Regarded as one of the best defensive catchers in the organization, Hietpas will be playing in his first games at the Triple-A level. He did make it into one game (no at-bats) at the major league level last Oct. 3, catching the ninth inning of the season's final game against the Montreal Expos.

In 65 games at Binghamton, Hietpas hit .216 (44-204) with five home runs and 24 RBI. He was hitting .194 with one RBI in 11 games this month.

To replace Hietpas on the B-Mets roster, catcher Zac Clements was sent back to Binghamton from Class-A St. Lucie.