WASHINGTON -- The Mets, already atop not only the National League East but MLB as a whole, have made do for the past four weeks without two of their key players.
Prior to the opener of New York¡¯s four-game series vs. Washington on Friday, the Mets activated Jeff McNeil (right oblique strain) and Francisco Alvarez (left hamate bone surgery) from the injured list. In a corresponding move, infielder Brett Baty and catcher Hayden Senger were optioned to Triple-A Syracuse.
McNeil slots back in as the Mets¡¯ everyday second baseman, a position filled by the platoon of Baty and Luisangel Acu?a in McNeil¡¯s absence.
McNeil will also be an option in center field -- a position he played in college -- and is looking forward to playing at the big league level after he started in center in two of his rehab games. There is no concrete plan for when McNeil will appear in center in a Major League game, though.
¡°I talked to them, and they told me to be ready for anything,¡± McNeil said. ¡°And I'll continue to get reps out there, and feel more and more comfortable up there and see what happens.¡±
It makes sense for New York to send Baty back to Syracuse. While he started to heat up in the past week with a .333 average in his past seven games, Baty lacked the consistency that Acu?a provides at the plate. In 19 games, Baty hit .204, while Acu?a has hit .283 over 22 games -- while also providing superior defense.
Even more than that, though, the Mets want Baty to get regular at-bats, something that wouldn¡¯t be available at the Major League level. They have a plan to ensure Acu?a stays active, but trying to get both Acu?a and Baty consistent reps would be near impossible.
¡°I have to take care of Jeff,¡± manager Carlos Mendoza said pregame. ¡°He¡¯ll play probably two games, have an off-day, maybe a day for [Mark] Vientos here and there. We'll see if Jeff goes in place at center field. So we'll find ways to keep Acu?a sharp and getting some at-bats.¡±
Alvarez, meanwhile, returns to his role as starting catcher, bumping Luis Torrens back into the backup role. With Alvarez sidelined, Torrens has provided solid defense while also delivering some key hits -- like his two-out scoreless tiebreaking RBI single to propel New York¡¯s late rally on April 13 against the A's. Optioning Senger, who made his Major League debut on Opening Day, made perfect sense -- he has room to develop and should get the opportunity to grow at Syracuse.
Both McNeil and Alvarez had down seasons last year and are now several years removed from monster campaigns. McNeil dominated in 2022, when he was named an All-Star and won the National League batting title while hitting .326. Alvarez, meanwhile, had his first full big league season in ¡®23 as a 21-year-old, crushing 25 home runs to show his power potential.
Saying the Mets ¡°made do¡± without the pair might be an oversimplification, considering how well New York has done to start the season, but it¡¯s also a fair assessment. McNeil brings not only his skills both defensively and offensively but also his veteran leadership, while Alvarez¡¯s return gives the Mets two big league backstops who can split time behind the plate however necessary.
Now, both McNeil and Alvarez get to have their own personal Opening Day, made all the more exciting by their itch to contribute while watching their squad soar in the first month of play.
¡°It¡¯s been fantastic [to watch],¡± McNeil said. ¡°Team¡¯s playing really well. So it's been fun to watch. Wish I was out there with the guys, but haven¡¯t been able to do [anything]. But enjoyed watching them, and they¡¯ve done a great job.¡±