The Mets have been with out infielder/outfielder Jeff McNeil for over a month now, as he fractured his wrist in early September and has been out of motion since. However he may very well be nearing a return to the membership, per Tim Healey of Newsday on X. McNeil goes to play within the Arizona Fall League on Friday and Saturday with supervisor Carlos Mendoza hoping for McNeil to play a full nine-inning sport on each of these days.
Throughout the common season, it’s routine for injured gamers to affix a minor league membership as a part of a rehab project, spending a number of days or perhaps weeks getting again into sport form earlier than being activated from the IL. However the minor league seasons have all been accomplished by this time of 12 months, so the AFL must do. The competitors tends to be a blended bag, as some prime prospects shall be concerned however golf equipment additionally typically ship guys who missed loads of time as a consequence of damage and wish reps to play catch-up. A full overview of the rosters was just lately supplied by Jim Callis, Sam Dykstra and Jonathan Mayo in a chunk for MLB.com.
Within the meantime, the Mets shall be making an attempt to get via the Phillies and transfer on to the NLCS. They’re at present up 2-1 within the collection and will end the collection tonight. If the Phils emerge victorious in sport 4, the fifth sport is scheduled for Friday. If the Mets finally win the NLDS, they’d sq. off in opposition to both the Padres or Dodgers within the NLCS beginning on Sunday.
If McNeil is ready to showcase his well being by then, and the Mets are nonetheless alive, the membership must make some selections about their NLCS roster and enjoying time. Luisangel Acuña has solely obtained two plate appearances within the playoffs to this point, putting out each occasions, and will maybe be the logical man to be left off subsequent spherical’s roster.
The extra fascinating query is likely to be how McNeil is used as soon as on the roster. He received the batting title in 2022 however has been roughly league common on the plate over the previous two years. He’s hit .257/.323/.381 for the reason that begin of 2023 for a wRC+ of 99.
He obtained out to a tough begin this 12 months, hitting .217/.278/.306 via the top of June for a wRC+ of 69. He then caught fireplace for a few months, hitting .271/.353/.506 for a 140 wRC+ from July till he was hit by a pitch and suffered his fracture.
Getting that red-hot model of McNeil again on the sphere could be nice however it’s additionally potential there shall be some rust after his layoff. Jose Iglesias took over the second base job and had a fantastic season, hitting .337/.381/.448 for a 137 wRC+. He’s gone chilly within the playoffs, nevertheless, with a .231/.231/.231 line via 26 journeys to the plate. McNeil may additionally maybe take a while from Starling Marte in an outfield nook, as he’s hitting simply .222/.304/.222 within the postseason to this point.
Each Iglesias and Marte hit right-handed whereas McNeil is a lefty, so a platoon may very well be a consideration for Mendoza. He’s already platooning the designated hitter slot, with Jesse Winker and J.D. Martinez each performing nicely. NLCS roster bulletins shall be made Sunday morning.
