Injury update means Mets backups have less time to lock down spots

The New York Mets obtained some excellent news this week as injured stars Francisco Alvarez and Jeff McNeil are heading to Florida for rehab assignments.

Nevertheless, this is not nice information for the Mets’ lively second basemen Brett Baty and Luisangel Acuna, as their time to show who ought to stay on the MLB roster is working out. In the meantime, the catching platoon of Luis Torrens and Hayden Senger has held it down behind the dish.

In keeping with MLB senior reporter Anthony DiComo, Alvarez will play for Single-A St. Lucie on Wednesday. On the identical time, McNeil continues to rehab earlier than enjoying in a minor league recreation this weekend. McNeil has additionally been experimenting with the controversial torpedo bats as he seems to be to return to the shape that gained him the Nationwide League batting title in 2022.

McNeil missed Opening Day as a result of an indirect pressure, whereas Alvarez underwent surgical procedure to restore a left hamate bone after fracturing it in batting apply. Each have been anticipated to be the common starters at second base and catcher, respectively, however plans modified throughout a dynamic spring coaching in Port St. Lucie. 

Batty slashed .353/.441/.745 in spring coaching and was given one other shot to show himself within the majors. Alongside him was Acuna, the thrilling Mets prospect who contributed late to their run to the NLCS final 12 months. He was added to the Opening Day roster after utility infielder Nick Madrigal went down for the season with a fractured left shoulder. The 2 have a mixed -0.5 WAR via the primary 11 video games.

Acuna does have a leg up on Baty within the race to remain within the majors. The youthful brother of Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr. is ready to play throughout the infield, in contrast with Baty being restricted to simply second and third base. Acuna can be a lot sooner than Baty and can be utilized as a pinch runner in sure situations. 

Nevertheless, Acuna’s offensive manufacturing is just like Baty’s in that there is not a lot taking place, with a .158 batting common, in contrast with Baty’s .111 common. 

The other is going on with Alvarez’s backups. Luis Torrens has a batting common of .300, and Hayden Senger is batting .222. Neither efficiency is All-Star worthy, however they supply greater than Acuna or Baty on the plate. Senger —who was working at Entire Meals earlier than spring coaching— has even impressed Mets supervisor Carlos Mendoza.