Cedric Mullins was not in the Mets’ starting lineup on Friday, but don’t expect that to be the norm.
Travel issues delayed Mullins’ trip to Citi Field, where he arrived less than three hours before the series opener against the San Francisco Giants.
But manager Carlos Mendoza made it clear he’s excited to use Mullins in center field after the Mets added him from the Baltimore Orioles before Thursday’s trade deadline.
“He’s going to get a lot of playing time there,” Mendoza said Friday.
The Mets acquired Mullins for three minor-league relievers in an attempt to stabilize a center field position that’s been something of a revolving door.
Tyrone Taylor has struggled offensively, and utility man Jeff McNeil had received more playing time there of late. Jose Siri remains out with a fractured tibia — an injury he suffered in mid-April.
Enter Mullins, a 2021 All-Star with 101 home runs, 139 stolen bases and a .774 OPS over his eight-year career.
“I think it’s a good fit,” Mullins, 30, said Friday. “For me, I’m just trying to be myself and bring the type of game I know I can bring. A bunch of different stuff: using my legs, running, stolen bases, playing solid defense, showing a little bit of power here and there, bunts. Just a little bit of everything.”
The lefty-swinging Mullins is hitting .229 this season, but he batted .290 in July. He boasts 15 homers, 14 steals and a .738 OPS.
“The way he runs the bases, [going] first to third, that doesn’t go in the box score,” Mendoza said. “Getting a bunt down when you need to get a runner over. Cutting the ball off in the outfield and keeping the double play in order. There’s a lot that goes behind the numbers that he does well.”
The addition of Mullins created a chain reaction.
When the Mets activated Mullins for Friday’s game, they sent rookie infielder Luisangel Acuña to Triple-A Syracuse. And while Taylor started in center field on Friday, he is primed to lose playing time with Mullins in the mix.
McNeil started at second base, where he is now likely to receive the bulk of his reps. That leaves third base as the primary position for young infielders Mark Vientos, Brett Baty and Ronny Mauricio to split time.
“The messaging is even if you’re not in the lineup, you’re probably gonna get the biggest at-bat of the game in the sixth or seventh inning,” Mendoza said.
“Right now, there’s a lot of different options. There’s versatility, and also an understanding we’re here for one reason. There’s one goal, and we’re counting on all of them.”
The Mets hope Mullins can help them reach that goal — a desire he shares.
“Bringing a ring back to the city. I think that’s what it’s all about,” Mullins said. “Go out there, have fun, but we want championships, and it’s a great opportunity to do so.”
SOTO RETURNS
Juan Soto was back in the Mets’ lineup on Friday, three days after he fouled a ball off of his right foot.
Soto, 26, exited Tuesday’s game in San Diego after the painful incident, and although imaging came back negative, he sat out on Wednesday. The Mets were off Thursday.
“We knew after the game in San Diego the other day that I had a player,” Mendoza said. “Checked with him yesterday. No issues, so he’s good to go.”
ALVAREZ OUT
Francisco Alvarez, meanwhile, was out of the starting lineup after taking a foul ball off of his catcher’s mask on Wednesday.
Alvarez left that game in San Diego but cleared concussion protocol, according to the Mets.
“We want to make sure he goes through all the baseball activities today, and he should be a player for us,” Mendoza said. “But we wanted to give him an extra day, making sure he moves around and catches a [bullpen session], does all the defensive drills, takes [batting practice], and see what the response is.”
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