SAN FRANCISCO – First baseman Jorge Polanco, whom the Mets signed in the offseason to replace some of the middle-order production they lost with Pete Alonso’s departure, continues to struggle with a bout of left Achilles tendinitis that finally landed him on the bench Friday night against the Giants at Oracle Park.
Polanco, who signed for $40 million over two years, started six of the Mets’ first seven games, but he has been DHing since he first felt discomfort in the foot March 28. Polanco was improving to the point that manager Carlos Mendoza expressed hope Thursday that the switch-hitter could return to the field by Friday.
Instead, Polanco was out of the lineup entirely after feeling more soreness Thursday night, even though he reported feeling better Friday afternoon.
Mendoza would not declare that Polanco is a candidate for an extended rest or trip to the injured list.
“He was in a pretty good place until last night, so we’ll have to continue to monitor him,” Mendoza said. “Right now it’s a day-to-day deal, and then we’ll go from there."