CHICAGO — Jose Iglesias didn’t get a hit in his ninth at-bat, but it got just as much attention from his manager as his four previous at-bats in which he did get a hit.
The Mets’ veteran infielder hit a grounder that could have easily turned into an inning-ending double play.
But despite the one-sided game, Iglesias sprinted to first base and dodged the relay throw.
“When you watch him play, you know everything you need to know,” Carlos Mendoza said Friday after the Mets’ 11-1 win over the Cubs at Wrigley Field. “It’s big to have a guy like him because his play is infectious.”
Iglesias, who started at second base alongside left-handed pitcher Shota Imanaga for the Cubs, recorded a career-high four hits and an OPS of .986 in the three weeks since being designated for assignment by Triple-A Syracuse.
He has appeared in 13 games at Wrigley Field so far, hitting 22-for-48 (.458).
But with the Cubs slated to use right-handed pitchers Jameson Taillon and Javier Assad on the mound Saturday and Sunday, Iglesias will likely be benched for the rest of the weekend with Jeff McNeil returning to second base.
According to the Mets, Grant Hartwig will undergo surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee and will be out for the next six to eight weeks.
The right-handed relief pitcher has split his time between Syracuse and the Mets this season.
Tomas Nido made his Cubs debut and went hitless with one at-bat as a pinch hitter.
The catcher was waived by the Mets on Monday and signed with the Cubs two days later.
With Francisco Alvarez returning from injured reserve and Luis Torrens emerging as a backup, Nido is no longer needed.
“Torrence is a great guy and he played probably the best anybody could have done in the first few days,” Nido said. “He’s had an incredible couple of weeks and it’s only fitting that we give him the award because everything’s worked out.”
Torrens was placed on the paternity list before Friday’s game, and catcher Joe Hudson was recalled from Syracuse.
The Mets acquired outfielder Duke Ellis off waivers from the White Sox and assigned him to Double-A Binghamton.
Brandon Nimmo had two hits and is now 14 for 28 (.500) with a seventh-game hitting streak.
Nimmo’s home run gave him 42 RBIs for the season, matching his career-high before the All-Star break.
Nimmo was moved from leadoff hitter to third batter on May 18.
