Veteran outfielder Mike Tauchman has suffered a meniscus tear, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post. The injury will require surgery, though a timeline for his return to action has not yet been announced.
It’s devastating news for the 35-year-old, who signed with the Mets this offseason on a minor league deal. Tauchman entered camp as the primary competition for top prospect Carlos Benge as the club’s starting right fielder, but played so well in Spring Training (with a .241/.371/.448 slash line across 13 spring games) that he was in serious consideration for a roster spot even as Benge began to prove he was ready for the majors. Now, any hope of contributing to the Mets (or any other club) this year will be put on hold for the foreseeable future. Meniscus surgery can require only a few weeks of recovery for minor procedures, but more significant injuries often take months of recovery and can even be season-ending. With minimal information about the severity of Tauchman’s injury known, it’s possible a more clear timeline for his return won’t be clear until he goes under the knife.
A tenth-round pick by the Rockies back in 2013, Tauchman made it to the majors in 2017 but first received widespread attention as a member of the Yankees during the 2019 season. Tauchman burst onto the scene alongside other little-known players like Gio Urshela and Luke Voit to help carry New York to a 103-win season, though they ultimately lost the ALCS to the Astros in six games. Tauchman’s performance that year was one to remember, as he slashed an incredible .277/.361/.504 with 13 homers and 18 doubles in just 87 games. When Tauchman struggled during the 2020 and ’21 seasons, it was easy to view his strong 2019 campaign as little more than a blip. He departed stateside ball in 2022 to play for the KBO’s Hanhwa Eagles, and that year went well enough for him that the Cubs decided to take a shot on him with a minor league deal.
Tauchman’s tenure with the Cubs revived his MLB career headed into his mid-30s. The then-32-year-old aptly filled in for Cody Bellinger in center field when the star was injured and wound up making himself a key piece of Chicago’s offense for the 2023-24 seasons. He hit .250/.360/.372 (109 wRC+) across 217 games on the north side, but saw his role shrink in 2024 with the emergence of star center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong and ultimately found himself squeezed off the roster by the addition of Kyle Tucker during the 2024-25 offseason. After being non-tendered by the Cubs, Tauchman headed to the south side to play for the White Sox and managed to continue his resurgence there. While injuries limited Tauchman to just 93 games with the White Sox, he hit an impressive .263/.356/.400 (115 wRC+) and was a surprising non-tender for Chicago this past offseason.
Tauchman seemed to be in good position to impact an outfield-needy club this offseason for a relatively low cost, and while the Mets were the team to take advantage of his availability it seems they won’t be able to benefit from his on-base skills and steady bat for at least the start of the season. With Tauchman sidelined, utility man Vidal Brujan could be the favorite to take the last spot on the Mets’ bench headed into Opening Day while Benge will surely get every opportunity to establish himself in right field for New York.
dang
Kneedless to say, Tauchman’s taking it easy to day.
Welp. Benge time. Spring is often an illusion. But the young man has looked the part. I’d guess they are watching opt out wire for last BP slot and for last utility role – maybe a better option that Brujan emerges
Quality backup and even better teammate. His fragility was usually a concern- warning sign when he got thrown out rounding 3rd on 3 separate occasions when he tripped trying to score.
Knew this would happen. Wasn’t disappointed the White Sox didn’t bring him back.
Yeah everyone that was up in arms about them not bringing him back were being a little ridiculous. He’s not young, and he seems to be hurt often. Seems like a good guy but you also have to be realistic.
You knew he would tear his meniscus…?
True- couldn’t foresee this but he kept experiencing unfortunate injuries, often at critical times like running the basepaths between third and home. After what the Sox experienced with injuries that felled TA, Eloy, Robert and Yo-yo in their primes, best not to go down that path with a 30 something something.
Isn’t that the injury he’s had before?
Nah knew that he would have some injury
Tough blow, but now they can fully see if Benge has what it takes. Good luck to both gents!
And he’s on a minor league contract. I wonder what his status becomes? Do they release him? Put him on the AAA roster on the DL?
Either triple A DL or released with an injury settlement most likely.
Kimbrel won’t make the team neither, according to mlb.
Hope same goes for Brujan. Dude just can’t hit.
“Now, any hope of contributing to the Mets (or any other club) this year will be put on hold for the foreseeable future. Meniscus surgery can require only a few weeks of recovery for minor procedures, but more significant injuries often take months of recovery and can even be season-ending. With minimal information about the severity of Tauchman’s injury known, it’s possible a more clear timeline for his return won’t be clear until he goes under the knife.”
Writing is getting so bad.
According to this paragraph, it’s possible that Tauchman will just miss a few weeks
But the first line of the paragraph says that any hope is on hold,
There is still hope that Tachman’s injury isn’t serious and he will contribute to the Mets this season. The hope isn’t on hold.
Tauchman had such a nice run with the Cubs, a guy like this can’t afford a injury
Tough break for Tauchman and the Mets because Brujan is the fallback option, and he brings nothing whatsoever to the table offensively.
Sorry to hear this. The Palatine Pounder, who if truth be told, as it seldom is, was one of the most valuable Cubs in 2023 and 2024, is a hard-nosed pro and very easy to root for.
Paletine Pounder
From Palatine Illinois
Shame