Jeff McNeil Out for Season with Broken Wrist
The New York Mets have suffered a significant blow to their playoff aspirations with the announcement that second baseman Jeff McNeil will miss the remainder of the season due to a broken wrist. This unfortunate development was confirmed by Mets Manager Carlos Mendoza on Saturday.
“Not good. MRI this morning showed a wrist fracture, so he is likely done for the year,” Mendoza disclosed, highlighting the gravity of the situation for the team.
The injury occurred during Friday's hard-fought game against the Cincinnati Reds, which the Mets clinched with a score of 6-4 after 10 innings. In the fourth inning of that contest, McNeil was struck by a 74 mph breaking ball. Showcasing his typical determination, McNeil continued to play until he was removed in the seventh inning. However, the severity of the injury became apparent following an MRI on Saturday morning, which revealed the wrist fracture.
On Sunday, the Mets officially placed McNeil on the injured list. In response, the organization promoted outfielder D.J. Stewart from Triple-A to fill the roster spot left vacant by McNeil’s injury.
This injury is a bitter pill to swallow for McNeil, who had been showing marked improvement since the All-Star break. His season batting line stands at .238/.307/.384, but post-All-Star break, he had surged to a .289/.376/.547 line while hitting seven of his 12 home runs during that span. Despite his progress, the injury brings an abrupt halt to what was becoming a promising turnaround for the second baseman.
Reflecting on his recent performance, McNeil had said, “I stopped trying to guide the ball for base hits, and am now just focusing on hard contact.” His new approach had been yielding results, offering a glimpse of his potential impact had he been able to finish the season healthy.
With McNeil sidelined, the Mets will now look to veteran infielder Jose Iglesias to take over as the full-time second baseman. Iglesias’ experience and defensive prowess will be crucial as the Mets navigate the final stretch of the season, especially with a tightly contested race for the National League wild-card spots.
Currently, the Mets hold the third National League wild-card spot, with the Atlanta Braves trailing closely, just one game behind. Adding to the intensity is the upcoming three-game series between the Mets and Braves at Truist Park from September 24-26. The season series between the rivals is tied at 5-5, highlighting the stakes and the competitive nature of the games that lie ahead.
As the Mets gear up for this critical juncture, the loss of McNeil adds an extra layer of adversity. However, the team’s depth and resilience will be put to the test as they rally to secure their postseason ambitions.