The Mets have been without infielder/outfielder Jeff McNeil for over a month now, as he fractured his wrist in early September and has been out of action since. But he could be nearing a return to the club, per Tim Healey of Newsday on X. McNeil is going to play in the Arizona Fall League on Friday and Saturday with manager Carlos Mendoza hoping for McNeil to play a full nine-inning game on both of those days.
During the regular season, it’s routine for injured players to join a minor league club as part of a rehab assignment, spending a few days or weeks getting back into game shape before being activated from the IL. But the minor league seasons have all been completed by this time of year, so the AFL will have to do. The competition tends to be a mixed bag, as some top prospects will be involved but clubs also often send guys who missed a lot of time due to injury and need reps to play catch-up. A full overview of the rosters was recently provided by Jim Callis, Sam Dykstra and Jonathan Mayo in a piece for MLB.com.
In the meantime, the Mets will be trying to get through the Phillies and move on to the NLCS. They are currently up 2-1 in the series and could finish the series tonight. If the Phils emerge victorious in game four, the fifth game is scheduled for Friday. If the Mets eventually win the NLDS, they would square off against either the Padres or Dodgers in the NLCS starting on Sunday.
If McNeil is able to showcase his health by then, and the Mets are still alive, the club will have to make some decisions about their NLCS roster and playing time. Luisangel Acuña has only received two plate appearances in the playoffs so far, striking out both times, and could perhaps be the logical guy to be left off next round’s roster.
The more interesting question might be how McNeil is used once on the roster. He won the batting title in 2022 but has been roughly league average at the plate over the past two years. He’s hit .257/.323/.381 since the start of 2023 for a wRC+ of 99.
He got out to a rough start this year, hitting .217/.278/.306 through the end of June for a wRC+ of 69. He then caught fire for a couple of months, hitting .271/.353/.506 for a 140 wRC+ from July until he was hit by a pitch and suffered his fracture.
Getting that red-hot version of McNeil back on the field would be great but it’s also possible there will be some rust after his layoff. Jose Iglesias took over the second base job and had a great season, hitting .337/.381/.448 for a 137 wRC+. He’s gone cold in the playoffs, however, with a .231/.231/.231 line through 26 trips to the plate. McNeil could also perhaps take some time from Starling Marte in an outfield corner, as he is hitting just .222/.304/.222 in the postseason so far.
Both Iglesias and Marte hit right-handed while McNeil is a lefty, so a platoon could be a consideration for Mendoza. He’s already platooning the designated hitter slot, with Jesse Winker and J.D. Martinez both performing well. NLCS roster announcements will be made Sunday morning.
The New York Mets certainly haven’t missed Jeff McNeil.
He’d still be a nice player to have back. In addition to his hot hitting in the second half, Iglesias is looking a little tired out there. McNeil giving him a few days off might help him out. Sporting a .440 OPS in the playoffs. He’s been amazing this year but maybe wearing down a little.
You do t know what you’re talking about. McNeil is a baller, looking forward to having him back.
This would be a solid addition for the Mets. They are light on lefties.
He will come back and produce a moment better than Kirk Gibson.
If squirrel did that, the fans would go nuts.
see what you did there
Hard to beat the moments that have already happened. But I could see it.
If so, I hope he honors Gibby by making the same arm motion between first and second.
What I want is for McNeil to surgically repair his arm (forgot details). Think it is affecting him more than he realizes.
I’d leave JD off the roster. He’s like 6 for his last 60 with no power. Can’t play D or run. At least acuna can be a pinch runner and play a few positions.
I think so. In fact, today I’d have hit for JD with Jesse Winker after Lindor’s slam. They had a righty on the mound and could have used a few more runs.
Not that they needed them, but I think that’s one of the few moves I’d have made.
I was surprised Winker didn’t come in at that point. Definitely would’ve been the right move but it wasn’t a deal breaker. Acuna will definitely be the one who gets cut. You need veteran presence in the post season.
Who got the first hit in inning of lindor slam?
I don’t see them leaving JD off for Acuna. McNeil plays more positions than Acuna before he got injured was playing well.
Bader can always come in as a pinch runner if needed late in the game.
Long live the flying squrriel
Congrats Mets fans!
Subway series
Whatever the Mets decide, we should have faith in this administration! They have proven themselves this year!
You Gotta Believe! LFGM!!!
And how many people here and elsewhere opined that this could be a 100-loss team?
NYM doing pretty pretty good for a “punt year.” I remember 1985-1992. NYM owned NY. Don’t know how their magic carpet ride ends. SD and LA are loaded. but sure does feel like it’s happening again.
Whoever wins between the Dodgers and the Padres, no one is beating the Mets in the NLCS.
The Dodgers may need Ohtani to throw a few innings just because they won’t have anyone else..