Madrigal 'out for long time' with fracture in left shoulder
Anthony DiComo
@AnthonyDiComoPORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- The Mets¡¯ bench competition experienced some early upheaval on Sunday, when infielder Nick Madrigal dislocated his left shoulder. Manager Carlos Mendoza announced on Monday that an MRI had revealed a fracture in the shoulder, and that Madrigal would be "out for [a] long time."
Playing shortstop against the Nationals as part of a split squad in West Palm Beach, Fla., Madrigal switched directions to field a comebacker that deflected off pitcher Ty Adcock. As Madrigal scooped the ball and threw to first, he dove onto the turf with his arms outstretched in front of him. The Mets immediately removed him from the game.
A late offseason signing, Madrigal had been among the early favorites to claim one available bench spot for the Mets, largely because of his ability to play shortstop. Though he¡¯s far more experienced at second and third base, Madrigal is a plus defender who profiled as a quick study at short.
With Madrigal missing significant time, the Mets don¡¯t have a clear solution to back up Francisco Lindor. In a perfect world, team officials would like to give No. 12 prospect Luisangel Acu?a more seasoning in the Minors, making him a less realistic candidate for the Opening Day roster. While the Mets hope to give Brett Baty shortstop reps at some point this spring, that won¡¯t happen until he proves adept at second and third. Ronny Mauricio, meanwhile, is behind other position players due to his recovery from right knee surgery.
Outside of Lindor, the Mets¡¯ most seasoned shortstop option is 30-year-old veteran Donovan Walton, who¡¯s in camp on a Minor League deal.
The Mets could decide to break camp without a backup shortstop altogether, given Lindor¡¯s propensity to play just about every inning of every game. If that happens, utility man Jared Young would become a prime candidate to make the team on the strength of his bat.
Earlier Sunday, Mendoza said he hopes to carry ¡°someone that we feel comfortable enough to say, ¡®Finish a game,¡¯ in a blowout.¡± If something significant were to happen to Lindor, the Mets would have a different conversation about long-term solutions.
A 2018 first-round Draft pick of the White Sox, Madrigal has struggled with injuries throughout his career, including a separated left shoulder in 2020.
¡°I think there¡¯s been times where I¡¯ve started getting in a groove and then had an injury and just wasn¡¯t able to really get in the groove,¡± Madrigal said earlier this spring.