Jeff McNeil to miss start of Mets’ season in sudden injury worry – New York Post
Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets from spring training PORT ST. LUCIE — The Mets took another hit to their starting lineup, with Jeff McNeil going down with a strained oblique, Carlos Mendoza said Thursday.The manager said McNeil would be shut down for 7-10 days and added the belief is he’ll miss 3-4 weeks, which would extend into the regular season.“It could take more than that,” Mendoza said at Clover Park. “He has to be symptom-free, and then we’ll ramp him up.”McNeil said he’s not sure how he suffered the injury and was frustrated by the timing: “I felt like I was swinging the bat really well.”But he’s encouraged by the fact the injury appears to be minor.Without McNeil, the Mets have a vacancy at second base, and Brett Baty got the start there Thursday as he adjusts to the position.Baty played 27 games at second with Triple-A Syracuse last season and figures to get more time there over the final two weeks of the spring.Against the Red Sox, Baty misplayed a grounder and made some awkward throws to first, but Mendoza liked Baty’s range and fundamentals.“We want to see him getting tested, and today he was,” Mendoza said.It’s another way for Baty to make the Opening Day roster after he lost the third base job to Mark Vientos last season.“I feel good over there,” Baty said of playing second. “It comes natural. … If [Mendoza] sees me in that role, I would love to get reps [at second].”For the most part, Baty has looked good this spring to put himself in the mix for a roster spot.“Camp’s not over,” Baty said of his spring. “I feel like I’ve done my best to give myself a chance to make the team.”He’ll likely get more games at second through the rest of spring training, but Luisangel Acuña, Donovan Walton and Luis De Los Santos — all in competition for a utility role — will also get opportunities.Acuña showed flashes last year when he filled in for the injured Francisco Lindor at shortstop in September and is another intriguing option.Mendoza said Acuña has looked better at the plate after getting off to a slow start this spring.“Early on, he tried to do too much,” Mendoza said. “Now, he’s more under control. … When he’s doing that, he can be dangerous.”The Mets also have to determine whether the 23-year-old Acuña is better served playing every day at Triple-A than in a potential reserve role in Queens.“I think it comes down to what’s best for the team and best for the player to be in a position to have success and help us win baseball games,” Mendoza said. “There’s a balance to it. I’m sure if we go with him at the big league level, there will be chances for him.”Acuña overcame a mostly shaky season in the minors last season and thrived when put under the spotlight with the Mets.“You’ve got to give him credit,” Mendoza said. “He’s not afraid. At this level, you need that. Not only the tools, but it’s a hard game and you have to handle adversity. He had a lot at Triple-A, and I don’t think the moment is too big for him.”McNeil’s loss comes after the Mets have already seen a possible season-ending shoulder injury to potential utility player Nick Madrigal, as well as a fractured hamate bone to Francisco Alvarez. Sean Manaea was hit with an oblique injury and Frankie Montas is dealing with a high-grade lat strain.“You hate to see it,” Mendoza said of the injuries. “You’ve got to keep going. At the beginning of camp, we kept talking about depth and here we are getting tested. We know we have a good team, not only our regulars, but with our depth. We still feel good about it. Unfortunately, we’ve had a few [injuries]. It’s part of it. We’ll be all right.”
