The Mets are currently in second place in the National League East, behind only the Phillies, who have a one-game lead. And although they recently lost 6-4 to the Yankees, the balance has been positive in the series so the outlook is positive.
That’s why the Mets seemed ready to put a bad streak behind them, however, new news has come to dampen the spirits of the New York team: Jose Siri, one of the defensive pillars of the team, is still out with an injury that does not seem to heal, and his return seems increasingly distant.
This was confirmed by Carlos Mendoza himself, who did not want to disguise the reality about the return of Jose Siri:
“He is scheduled, I think yesterday or today, for another MRI and see where we are, if it has healed or not. He still has a long way to go.”
What happened to Jose Siri?
The center fielder, who suffered a fractured left tibia on April 12 after fouling a ball off his leg, has been out ever since. Although he was originally expected to return in late June, his recovery process has suffered a major setback.
The injury has been more complicated than expected. President of operations David Stearns noted that the bone “has not healed as the team expected,” which is why it was decided to completely stop Siri’s activity within the club.
Who will replace Jose Siri?
Although Jose Siri was not shining with the bat at the time of his injury (just one hit in 20 at-bats at the start of the season), his defensive contribution in center field was key. His speed, range and reading of the game made him a difficult defender to replace. With his prolonged absence, the Mets are forced to improvise.
That’s why the replacement for Siri would not fall on a single player, as Mendoza and his coaching staff have opted for a “committee” approach to fill the gap:
Tyrone Taylor was the first to take up the challenge. His defense is solid, but his offense has not taken off, hitting .211 with no home runs in 16 games.
Brandon Nimmo, although he is having an inconsistent campaign, could return to center field thanks to his previous experience in the position. He is currently hitting .244 with 13 home runs.
Luisangel Acuna, a regular infielder, has begun to gain minutes in the outfield. His .292 average and six stolen bases in 20 games give him a young and dynamic profile.
Jeff McNeil, still in the rehabilitation process, is also training in center field to add versatility to the lineup.
“We’re going to evaluate who’s playing well, which pitchers we’re facing and how to best structure the lineup,” explained Stearns, making it clear that each piece can have its moment.
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