PHILADELPHIA — Jeff McNeil continues to train. Now, the next step is to get in shape for baseball.
The Mets utility man, who has been rehabbing a fractured right wrist, returned to the team on Sunday following the birth of his daughter in recent days and had a full pregame workout at Citizens Bank Park.
After that, he did not rule out the possibility of being available to play if the team advances to the NLCS.
“You have to ignore the advice of the training staff and what the team needs,” McNeil said before the Mets' 7-6 loss to the Phillies in Game 2 of the NBA. “I want to be ready to play. I know I have to take a few more steps to be ready.”
Among them is live pitching. McNeil has been taking batting practice, playing ground balls, and running the bases.
McNeil, who has been on the disabled list since early September, left the team near the end of the final homestand due to family reasons.
He said it was an “experience” watching the team on TV that qualified for the postseason and won the National League Wild Card Series.
“I was going crazy in my house watching the Atlanta game,” McNeil said of the Mets' victory last Monday, in which Francisco Lindor's home run clinched a postseason berth. “I wish we could have celebrated there.”
McNeil said he and his wife watched the wild-card game against the Brewers from their hospital room as they awaited the birth of their baby. Pete Alonso's home run in the 9th inning brought the Mets back to victory.
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“I remember sitting in the hospital bed with my wife and Pete showing up in that situation and thinking, 'Maybe this is a home run here,'” McNeil said. “She says, 'Don't go crazy.' [if it happens]. ”They would think she had the baby because we were in the hospital room. He hit a home run and I tried to restrain myself. It was a special moment and I was so happy for Pete. ”
The Mets will hold an optional workout at Citi Field on Monday. …Sean Manaea has been announced as the Mets' starting pitcher for Tuesday's Game 3.
