The Mets seem to have caught a big break, as the club learned today that second baseman/outfielder Jeff McNeil has only a mild hamstring strain, MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo tweets. It is anticipated that McNeil will miss about ten days of action; unsurprisingly, he will go on the IL, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network (via Twitter).
There had been concern that McNeil may have suffered a more significant injury when he departed last night’s contest. Losing him for a lengthy stretch would’ve been devastating to the team’s chances in a tightly contested postseason race.
Placing McNeil on the 10-day injured list will free an active roster spot for Ruben Tejada. As expected, he will be selected to the 40-man and be ready for duty today, Andy Martino of SNY.tv tweets. It’ll be Tejada’s first MLB action in a Mets uniform since he broke his leg in the 2015 NLDS.
10 days without McNeil in this stretch they’re about to play could still be devastating to their chances; Braves-Royals-Indians-Braves. Royals are the only “easy” team.
He is their best pure hitter and the Mets don’t have much depth. Their best hope is if someone gets hot in his place till he returns. These upcoming Games for them could potentially determine their fate as far as the playoff chase is concerned
The one thing in their favor however is that the brewers and cardinals (who are barely above the Mets in the standings) will be beating up on each other the rest of the way and to be frank neither team is that strong at all so the Mets could pass both teams
Gonna be a long 10 days…
My thoughts exactly. What a bad time for McNeil to go down. I’m hopeful that JD Davis can continue his hotstreak (1.000ish OPS since the all-star break). Basically everyone else needs to hit and pitching needs to continue. It’s never easy with the Mets….
Well it’s not worst case but they could be out of it by the time he’s back
Exactly.
Man, this a tough. Hopefully it is the 10 days and he’s back. Really going to need someone to get hot in his place. LFGM
LFGM?
Shame to lose McNeil, but at least it’ll be nice seeing Tejada in a Mets uniform again
No it’s not “nice” to see Tejada again, he is one of the worst starting position players the Mets have trotted out in the Citi Field era, especially at the expense of one of the finest. It would be nice if Jed Lowrie was available
So I don’t expect much from Tejada. He has been hitting over .300 since he joined Syracuse, but it just seems that there is a greater gap in performance at AAA and performance at the Big League level than ever before. It just “feels” like a .300 hitter at AAA hits about .240 when they make the jump. I don’t have any data on it, just a feeling. Can anyone find any data on it? Either way, good luck to Ruben. Here is a chance to be a hero.
Bryan Reynolds is sending flowers…
“It’ll be Tejada’s first MLB action in a Mets uniform since he broke his leg in the 2015 NLDS.”
Jeff, I think you mean – when Uckin’ Futley broke it for him – while making a football play in a baseball game – which prompted a major MLB rule change.
And BTW, good luck Ruben Tejada!
^ this
A bit annoying that I have to go back three articles to see that the injury in question is to his left hamstring.