DENVER — Mets’ Changes on Batting Lineup
In an effort to revitalize a struggling batting lineup, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza moved his top hitter, Juan Soto, to the leadoff position on Monday. This marked Soto’s first appearance at leadoff since May 30, 2021, when he was with the Nationals.
During his time with the Mets, Soto has mostly hit second in the order.
“I’ve been contemplating this the last few days, especially with several players on injured reserve,” Mendoza explained ahead of the game against the Rockies at Coors Field. “I found myself having to make a quicker decision about the order based on how the opposing team is using their bullpen and who’s batting behind Juan.”
Bo Bichette had been primarily leading off since Francisco Lindor went on injured reserve a week and a half ago, but with Soto now at the top, Bichette shifted to the second spot.
Mendoza discussed the lineup change with Soto on Sunday, and Soto seemed open to the idea.
Before the game, Mendoza took a moment to remember former Yankees radio announcer John Sterling, who recently passed away at 87. He had a close bond with Sterling during his coaching days with the Yankees.
“He was the first person I reached out to when I started here,” Mendoza said. “I had a wonderful relationship with him, and I’m really going to miss him.”
Meanwhile, AJ Minter is scheduled to pitch back-to-back games for Triple-A Syracuse beginning Wednesday as he wraps up his rehab assignment.
Mendoza was uncertain if Minter would join the Arizona team immediately or wait until the Mets are back home before coming off the disabled list. Minter hasn’t pitched for the Mets since April of last season following his latissimus dorsi surgery.
Mendoza also indicated that he chose Huascar Brazoban to pitch in Monday’s game against the Rockies instead of Tobias Meyers, taking into account their workloads.
Brazoban threw one inning against the Angels on Saturday, while Meyers pitched 2²/₃ innings in that same match.
In another move, Carl Edwards Jr. opted to bypass a minor league transfer and permanently moved to Syracuse as a free agent.
