When the Mets acquired Robinson Chirinos in a trade Monday with the Texas Rangers, the veteran catcher was surprised, but he embraced his new situation. Entering a Mets roster with the likes of proven starter Wilson Ramos, Chirinos does not know his role yet, but he is looking forward to helping wherever possible.

"I don't know," Chirinos said Wednesday when he was asked about his role. "I talked to (manager) Luis (Rojas), know my decision right now. I'm trying to get everybody, put name and face in the same place and try to learn the pitching staff. I might go to the bullpen today talk to those guys throughout the game and just pick their brain.

"They got me in to go in there and win games. So every time I have the opportunity to be behind the plate, I'm going to do my best to help the pitching staff, this organization to do that part."

The Mets activated Chirinos for Wednesday's 4:05 p.m. game against the Orioles at Camden Yards in Baltimore, optioning Ali Sanchez to the alternate site. Rojas did not say Tuesday what Chirinos meant for Tomas Nido, who is not on site.

Getting to know a new pitching staff is the biggest challenge for Chirinos, who has only about a month left in the season. Still, he plans on maximizing his time.

"It's hard, but I think it's not impossible," Chirinos said. "I think I have a lot of work to do and it's going to come down to myself -- doing my work and asking them questions and see what they like, make sure I know what they're thinking.

"It's been my goal since I got here today. I've got to keep doing the same things during the game and, hopefully, I can pick their brain and be on the same page with everybody."

Chirinos and Ramos have both played in the Venezuelan winter league, but never got to know each other on a personal level. No matter how the reps are split up, Chirinos sees teaming up with Ramos as an opportunity.

"Just playing against him -- we never played together on the same team, this is the first time," said Chirinos, who slashed .119/.224/.143 and two RBI in 14 games with the Rangers on the season. "Know he's a great guy. Heard a lot of good things about him. He likes to compete and our job, as a catcher, is just help the pitching staff.

"I've been talking to Wilson today and just going to do my best to pick his brain, too, because he's been here the past couple years. He knows pretty much everybody and he's been open-minded to me. He's been sharing information and I appreciate him doing that for me."

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