Jorge Polanco Faces Potential IL Stint
Jorge Polanco sat out Thursday’s game against Arizona due to ongoing pain in his left Achilles tendon. Manager Carlos Mendoza mentioned that Polanco might need to go on the injured list.
“We could end up in a situation where he needs some time off. It’s a changing situation,” Mendoza stated before the team’s 7-1 defeat at Citi Field. “We’ll see how it plays out,” he added.
Polanco has been a significant factor in their offseason plans but has not played first base since the season’s second game when he began feeling discomfort in that area.
Since then, he has only served as a designated hitter, which hasn’t eased his condition.
Mendoza reported that Polanco felt pain again on Wednesday, prompting the decision to hold him out on Thursday.
“It’s day-to-day for him, but some days are better than others,” Mendoza explained. “Wednesday was one of those tougher days for him.”
The timeline for Polanco’s recovery remains uncertain.
“It’s tough to assess right now. We’re keeping a close eye on it,” said the manager.
Polanco, who was up against a left-handed pitcher, was replaced at first base by Mark Vientos, while Francisco Alvarez handled designated hitting duties.
At 32, Polanco played 138 games for Seattle last season, but he has faced multiple injuries in recent years, including hamstring strains and knee inflammation, which sidelined him previously.
The lineup is also missing Juan Soto, who is currently on the injured list due to a strained right calf and hasn’t resumed running yet.
“We’re being careful,” Soto noted after the loss to Arizona. “There’s a plan in place, and we’ll stick to it,” he said.
Soto is expected to be out for two to three weeks following an injury sustained in San Francisco but remains engaged in baseball activities like catching and batting practice. He mentioned feeling “pretty good.”
There’s currently no specific timeline for when Soto can start running, which will ultimately determine his return.
On another note, AJ Minter, who underwent surgery for a torn lat muscle last season, made his return on Thursday at Low-A St. Lucie, pitching a scoreless inning as part of his rehab. He must be activated by May 9th.
Mendoza remarked, “It was great to see him back in a competitive setting. It’s definitely a positive sign.”
Craig Kimbrel, another veteran reliever, also had a strong outing, pitching a shutout inning at St. Lucie after facing challenges earlier in the season.
In Triple-A, Christian Scott made an impressive start on Thursday while David Peterson continues to struggle. Scott pitched five scoreless innings against Buffalo, delivering in the mid-90s with only two hits allowed, one walk, and seven strikeouts.
Tobias Myers took the mound as well, returning from a hiatus since Saturday. Mendoza noted that Myers is still prepared to pitch up to “40-45” pitches, but if needed in a crucial moment, he could be called upon sooner.
According to the Associated Press, the Mets recorded the highest Opening Day payroll this year at $352.2 million.
“There’s always a level of pressure here in New York,” Mendoza acknowledged. “Expectations are high regardless of the salary. We not only aim to reach October, but we have to push deep into it,” he concluded.
