If all goes well Wednesday in Worcester, Massachusetts, the Mets will have two key starters back by the time they open a series against the Washington Nationals on Friday night. Catcher Francisco Alvarez and second baseman/outfielder Jeff McNeil are playing in what could potentially be their final rehab games with Triple-A Syracuse with the goal of being activated Friday.
This means roster moves are coming, which is unfortunate since the replacements for Alvarez and McNeil have played so well. Rookie catcher Hayden Senger has always understood that his time in the big leagues was temporary, but that doesn’t make it easy for the Mets to demote the 27-year-old backstop.
The Mets are losing the second-strongest arm in the league, according to Statcast. Senger has allowed two stolen bases in five attempts and his framing and blocking abilities have been lauded by Mets pitchers and coaches alike. It’s clear that he’s a big-league catcher, and for a backup, he’s handled the bat well hitting .200 with a double and a walk in 26 plate appearances. There is an immense amount of trust in Senger by the entire pitching staff.
Brett Baty is likely to head to Syracuse with Senger. After a rough start to his season offensively and defensively, Baty went 8-for-25 with two doubles, a triple, two RBI, two runs and a stolen base from April 8-18, while also displaying technically sound defense at second and third base. However, he’s 0-for-9 over his last three games with two walks.
The Mets could opt to demote Luisangel Acuña, but the 23-year-old rookie brings more versatility than Baty with speed on the basebaths and the ability to play second base, shortstop and center field. With Jose Siri out for at least two months, Acuńa has been working out in center field in case he’s needed there. He’s hitting .275 with five doubles and six stolen bases.
“It’s not going to be an easy decision and that’s what you want,” manager Carlos Mendoza said Wednesday morning at Citi Field. “A couple of weeks ago when we were starting to talk about a potential move, I said it. I said, ‘I’m hoping it’s a difficult thing where guys are playing.’ That’s what they’re doing. You’ve got Acuña, Baty, [outfielder Jose] Azocar, a lot of guys there that are helping our team win baseball games day in and day out. So it is difficult because they all provide versatility.”
Baty, a left-handed hitter, and Acuña, who bats from the right side, have mostly platooned, with Baty facing righties and Acuña getting into the lineup against lefties. Acuña, the brother of Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr., has also been used as a pinch-runner in late-game situations. Now two years into the new rules with the pitch clock and bigger bases, the Mets would like to utilize their runners more to create more scoring opportunities.
“Whoever we decide, it’s going to be out of their control and that will be the message in here,” Mendoza said. “So it’s a tough spot, but again, throughout the course of the year, you want to be facing some tough decisions. And here we are. So we’ve got one more today. Those guys got to play one more, and then we have this issue.”
McNeil (oblique) has been playing center and second base during his rehab assignment. Coming into Wednesday, the 2022 NL batting champ has hit .375 with a 1.111 OPS with two RBI and two home runs in Low-A, Double-A and Triple-A. Alvarez (hamate surgery) is hitting .200 with one home run and three RBI.
Right-hander Paul Blackburn (sore right knee) was set to make another rehab start Wednesday, but has been out with a stomach bug. The Mets are hoping he’s able to come in Thursday, a team off day, to determine his next step.
