PHILADELPHIA -- The Mets welcomed second baseman Marcus Semien back from the injured list in their first game back from the All-Star break on Thursday, though Semien was not in the starting lineup for the team’s series opener against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.
Instead, Semien rode the bench while Brett Baty, who hit .289/.306/.444 in his last 12 games before the break, started at second base. That, interim manager Andy Green said, was mostly due to the fact that the Mets wanted Semien to have an intensive workout on Thursday before returning to the starting lineup Saturday against left-hander Jesús Luzardo.
“He’ll figure prominently into our mix going forward,” Green said.
Semien has struggled for most of his first season with the Mets, batting a career-worst .214/.271/.341 in 80 games before straining his left hip flexor in late June. Initial reports suggested Semien would need four to six weeks to recover, but he made it back in barely more than three.
“When we looked at the MRI, it looked scary,” Semien said. “But based off how I was feeling, I recover pretty quick and got right into the rehab program, and we have some of the best PTs in the game. I was just listening to my body. The main thing was, ‘OK, I can push this a little bit more.’ I wanted to get back as soon as possible. I’m competitive in that way. But also trying to be smart at the same time, and we ended up getting to today.”
With their full Opening Day lineup healthy again, the Mets figure to roll with Francisco Lindor at shortstop and Bo Bichette at third base most days. That leaves first and second open for a mix of Semien, Baty, Jared Young and Eric Wagaman. Eventually, Jorge Polanco could also slot into the mix at first. He has served exclusively as a DH since returning from his own IL stint.
“I’m ready to play when my name is in the lineup,” Semien said. “I’m ready to play every single day. That’s what I told Andy once I got activated -- no holding back anymore. I’m ready to play every single day like I was before.”
To clear roster space for Semien, the Mets designated infielder Zack Short for assignment for the second time this season.