The Mets, who have lost eight straight games heading into their series opener against the Cubs on Friday at Wrigley Field, are in dire need of reinforcements for a lineup that has scored 12 runs over those eight games, including just three runs in the past four.
There is mixed news on that front regarding two key cogs in New York’s lineup -- superstar outfielder Juan Soto and designated hitter/first baseman Jorge Polanco.
Polanco, who the Mets signed to a two-year, $40 million contract this past offseason, has been limited to 14 games this season due to left Achilles bursitis that he’s been dealing with since the beginning of the regular season.
While the Mets received good news on Polanco when an MRI revealed no structural damage, he is set to be reevaluated on Friday prior to the series opener in Chicago. Depending on how that goes, there is a chance he could be placed on the 10-day injured list.
Late last week, Polanco -- who has a .179/.246/.286 slash line in 61 plate appearances so far this season -- seemed optimistic that he would avoid an IL stint, but the injury bothered him again after he played in Tuesday night’s game at Dodger Stadium.
“There are days where he comes in and he feels really good [and] he goes out there and does a little bit of defensive work,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “And then there are days where he feels it more. We’re watching it closely here, and will see what happens.”
Soto, meanwhile, has been on the IL since April 6 (retroactive to April 4), after he strained his right calf while running from first to third against the Giants on April 3 in San Francisco. He had been one of the club’s most prolific hitters in the early going, producing a .355/.412/.516 slash line with one homer and two doubles in eight games.
Mets owner Steve Cohen posted on social media that Soto began a running progression on Tuesday. He then ran again and took live batting practice against Minor League pitchers on Wednesday at Citi Field, after which Mendoza said “he came out well.”
Mendoza said the goal is for Soto to return to the Mets’ lineup during their next homestand, which begins on Tuesday against the Twins. There should be more clarity on how long Polanco will be sidelined after he is reevaluated on Friday.
For however long the Mets will continue to be without key members of their lineup, they will have to find a way to get a slumbering offense going. Star infielders Francisco Lindor (.576 OPS), Bo Bichette (.575 OPS) and Marcus Semien (.526 OPS) have been unable to pick up the slack with Soto and Polanco sidelined.
“Guys have got to start playing better,” Mendoza said after his club’s most recent loss. “It’s as simple as that. They’re too talented. But right now, we’re not seeing anything on the field.”