Mark Vientos Set to Return to Mets
Mark Vientos, who has been recovering from tense hamstrings since June 2, is anticipated to be back at Citi Field on Thursday.
On Wednesday, Vientos played his second consecutive rehab game with Triple-A Syracuse, where he notched two hits.
Carlos Mendoza mentioned, “We’ll consult with the trainer to see if he requires a rest day after playing two games straight, or if he’s ready to go for us,” prior to the Mets’ 7-3 victory over the Braves that night.
If they choose not to field Vientos for a third day in a row, he is likely to travel to Pittsburgh on Friday.
In Vientos’ absence, Brett Baty and Ronny Mauricio have been alternating at third base.
Unfortunately, all three struggled offensively, and prior to his injury, Vientos had a rough stretch in his last 14 games. Baty managed to secure five hits in three games but has been in a slump with a batting average of 52-6.
Meanwhile, Mauricio contributed a solo home run during the ninth inning on Tuesday, and he had a solid 3-4 performance on Wednesday, despite the team’s ongoing struggles.
The inconsistency among these players underlines the Mets’ need for Vientos to step up as they look for a revitalized offense.
Last season, Vientos had an impressive 27 homers with an OPS of .837, but he has struggled significantly this year until his injury hit.
His offensive contributions, much like Francisco Alvarez’s, along with the lack of progress from other young players like Baty and Mauricio, have contributed to the Mets’ recent downturn.
Alvarez, who had been feeling dizzy and left Syracuse earlier in the week, managed to play on Wednesday as DH but went 0-3.
The Mets are hoping Vientos can address the issues they’ve been facing at the plate and behind the catcher after his demotion.
Jeff McNeil Shows Versatility
Jeff McNeil expressed his eagerness to play center field regularly after transitioning to that role during his college years. On Wednesday, he showcased his commitment by climbing the central wall to rob Marcel Ozuna of a home run.
This marked his 13th game as a center fielder, a role he has only filled twice before this season.
“He can handle multiple positions,” Mendoza noted. “He’s always willing to step up.”
Changes in the Bullpen
The Mets made some adjustments to a slightly strained bullpen on Wednesday.
They recalled left-hander Brandon Waddell and selected right-hander Jonathan Pintaro for the roster, replacing the designated-for-assignment duo of Jose Castillo and Richard Labedy, who recently pitched in a loss to Atlanta.
Mendoza indicated that this was the sixth time in the past week they’ve had to shift their roster, reflecting ongoing struggles.
Both rookies played in Wednesday’s win, with Waddell pitching scoreless innings while Pintaro allowed a run in two-thirds of an inning before Edwindias closed the game.
