LOS ANGELES -- Jared Young's feel-good start to the season hit a snag this week, when the 30-year-old began feeling discomfort in his left knee. The Mets sent Young for testing and were awaiting results before making an injured list decision.
Young, a surprise addition to the Opening Day roster, had carved out a niche as a first baseman and left fielder against right-handed pitching, particularly with Juan Soto on the IL. He strung together a series of productive games early this season, including an April 5 performance in San Francisco in which he went 3-for-3 and made a pair of strong defensive plays.
But with the Mets facing a right-hander in the Dodgers' Yoshinobu Yamamoto on Tuesday in Los Angeles, Young ceded his lineup spot to Mark Vientos. He has been feeling knee discomfort since Sunday.
"We’ve got to see what we’re dealing with here,” manager Carlos Mendoza said.
With Young and Soto both injured, the Mets are unable to maximize their platoon advantage against right-handed pitchers such as Yamamoto. Instead, they must play one of Vientos, Tyrone Taylor or Tommy Pham -- three right-handed hitters who aren’t used to playing every day against righties.
But if Young lands on the IL, the Mets could potentially call up Ronny Mauricio, a switch-hitter who is stronger from the left side of the plate. They will know more by Wednesday.
Separately on Tuesday, the Mets placed reliever Joey Gerber on the 15-day injured list due to a blister on one of his pitching fingers. The team called up fellow right-hander Austin Warren to replace him.