LONDON — Jeff McNeil’s absence from the Mets starting lineup is expected to end Sunday.
The team is ending a four-game stretch against left-handed starting pitchers, and manager Carlos Mendoza indicated Saturday that McNeil is likely to start against Taijuan Walker.
McNeil had little to say about his recent absence from the squad before Saturday’s game, other than to say he’ll be ready if called upon.
McNeill noted that they have never been platooned before and alluded to the addition of José Iglesias to the group.
“We didn’t even have a right-handed backup second baseman,” McNeil said before the Mets’ 7-2 loss to the Phillies at London Stadium.
Mendoza said there was no reason for McNeil being taken out of the lineup other than the Mets facing four straight games against left-handed pitchers and Iglesias was performing well.
Iglesias was two for four and has a .935 OPS since being acquired from Triple-A Syracuse on May 31.
Mendoza downplayed the significance of team executives recently telling Brett Batty he should be ready to play second base for Syracuse.
Mendoza said Batty would be used as a second baseman only as an emergency option.
“He’s still a third baseman,” Mendoza said. “I’m very happy with the progress he’s made defensively. I just thought instead of trying to get an inning or two in his first game at the major league level, I’d do it in Triple-A in case we need him here one day.”
Mendoza confirmed that pitcher Kodai Senga is set to return later this season and said it’s safe to assume the right-hander won’t pitch for the team before the All-Star break.
Senga, whose rehabilitation was delayed last month, could potentially throw bullpen pitches on Monday or Tuesday.
Saturday’s match drew a crowd of 53,882 at the London Stadium, and Harrison Bader said that while it wasn’t a sellout, the fan response was still impressive.
The stadium has a baseball capacity of 60,000.
“These matches are fun to play, but I think they’re even more fun for the fans,” Bader said. “It’s been a great experience so far.”
