HOUSTON — The Mets have spent the last week searching for infield help, but with less than 24 hours before Opening Day, the club opted to use Luisangel Acuña, a source confirmed to the Daily News.
With players around the league exercising opt-outs and upward mobility clauses, and space being cleared off 40-man rosters, the Mets wanted to keep that roster spot open in case a more veteran infielder became available. But by adding Acuña now, they won’t have to fly in anyone right before Opening Day. The 23-year-old Acuña, who was influential in helping the Mets secure a Wild Card spot last fall during a 14-game big league stint, was informed after the team held a workout at Daikin Park on Wednesday.
However, there are questions about Acuña’s development and work ethic after an up-and-down year in the Mets organization. The key piece of the Max Scherzer trade that saw the ace go to the Texas Rangers in 2023, Acuña had a lackluster season with Triple-A Syracuse in 2024, but a strong showing in the big leagues last September. He then continued to impress in winter ball, but in spring training he hit just .250 with a .573 OPS.
There were good games and bad games. The Mets played him at third base and it was clear that he needed to adjust to throwing across the diamond. He also made sloppy mistakes on the basepaths.
This led the Mets to discuss whether or not it would be best for him to start the season in Triple-A again where he could play every day. But Jeff McNeil’s oblique injury and Nick Madrigal’s shoulder surgery opened up two infield spots. The other went to Brett Baty.
“I think that’s always part of the equation,” said Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns. “We want to make sure we’re providing not only the best group we possibly can at the big league level, but also the right developmental opportunities. We know Acuña can help us here. He’s going to help us here, and it may very well be tomorrow afternoon. We just have to work through this and make sure that we’re exploring all options before we set anything in stone.”
The Mets know the talent is there, but keeping him engaged and motivated could be a challenge.
“Luisangel is a very, very gifted defender,” Stearns said. “I’m glad he got some additional exposure to third base. I think that was important for him. And I think towards the end of camp, he started playing a really strong third base, and that was great to see offensively. I think we saw some, some really good signs. We saw some ability to go the other way. We know he’s got some popping in the bat when he gets to his pull side…
“And then we also saw where there still needs to be some growth. And he’s very, very aware of that as well.”
McNeil is “progressing” and will start doing “dynamic motion” work, and then baseball activities. The Mets can continue to look for infielders as the season gets underway.
As for the injured pitchers, Paul Blackburn will start the season on the injured list with right knee inflammation. The right-hander complained of knee soreness the day after making his final Grapefruit League start. He received an injection and Stearns said he has responded well to it.
Left-hander Sean Manaea continues to go through his rehab process and is throwing from 90 feet. Right-hander Frankie Montas (lat strain) recently underwent follow-up imaging that showed the muscle is healing. Stearns estimates Montas is about a week or two away from being able to throw again.
