LOS ANGELES — Jeff McNeil missed more than a month before returning to the Mets' roster on Sunday, but that doesn't necessarily mean he'll be limited to a bench role.
The veteran utility man was placed on the NLCS roster after a short period of rehabilitation for his right wrist, but was left out of the starting lineup in a 9-0 Game 1 loss to the Dodgers.
But coach Carlos Mendoza said he wouldn't hesitate to start McNeil if it made sense on the day.
“His bat-to-ball skill, that's his calling,” Mendoza said. “That's been his entire career. I'm going back to spring training, where he hasn't played as many games and has been in the Opening Day lineup because of his hitter and ball skills. Ta.”
McNeil, who played in the Arizona Fall League on Friday and Saturday to hone his skills, is happy to have the opportunity to contribute after breaking his wrist when he was hit by a pitch last month.
“Just the fact that I've been in this organization so long and not going too deep into the playoffs, it means a lot to be here and play in a big series like this,” McNeil said. “I’m just so happy.”
McNeil had a dismal first half, but posted a .923 OPS after the All-Star break.
McNeil couldn't have returned to a better place. He grew up two hours north of Dodger Stadium in Santa Barbara.
Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
“I've been a Dodgers fan since I was a kid,” McNeil said. “It means a lot to play in this ballpark. I remember when I got called up in 2018, this was one of the first places I played. It was very cool and special.”
With Adam Ottavino removed from the NLCS roster to make room for McNeil, Luis Angel Acuña remained as a bench option and was hitless in the ninth inning of pinch hits.
“The versatility, there's a lot to like about Acuña,” Mendoza said of Acuña. “In a series like this, we can be more aggressive.”
Danny Young remained an option to thwart the left-handed threat in the Dodgers' lineup, making his first postseason appearance with one walk in 1¹/₃ scoreless innings.
