Mets’ hot-hitting second baseman out for rest of 2024 with broken wrist

The New York Mets have encountered a significant setback with the news that second baseman Jeff McNeil is likely out for the remainder of the season. Manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed on Saturday that McNeil suffered a broken wrist, an injury he sustained after being hit by a pitch during Friday’s thrilling walk-off victory against the Cincinnati Reds, where the Mets won 6-4 in ten innings.

“Not good. MRI this morning showed a wrist fracture, so he is likely done for the year,” Mendoza stated during a press briefing. McNeil himself told reporters that the injury involves a “really small fracture” and expressed a glimmer of hope for a potential return if the Mets advance deep into the postseason.

The injury occurred in the fourth inning when McNeil was attempting to bunt against a 74 mph breaking ball. He remained in the game to run the bases and play defense but was ultimately pulled from the lineup when it was his turn to bat again in the seventh inning. This incident left fans and teammates concerned about his health and the impact on the team’s performance.

Despite his season batting line of .238/.307/.384 not standing out, McNeil has emerged as one of the key contributors to New York’s offense in the latter half of the season. Since the All-Star break, he has been on a hot streak, posting a .289/.376/.547 batting line with seven of his twelve home runs coming in that span. This improvement followed his decision to abandon the focus on just getting base hits, opting instead to concentrate on making solid contact.

Primarily a second baseman, McNeil has also played in the outfield this season, which meant his absence would impact the team’s versatility. In light of his injury, Jose Iglesias is expected to take over as the starting second baseman. Iglesias has been a pleasant addition throughout the year and appears ready for this challenge. In addition, top prospect Luisangel Acuña, younger brother of Ronald Acuña, is another possibility to fill the gap left by McNeil.

This injury comes at a crucial point in the season for the Mets, who extended their winning streak to eight games with the victory over the Reds. As it stands, the Mets and the Atlanta Braves are neck-and-neck for the third and final wild-card spot in the National League, boasting identical records of 77-64. They are tied 5-5 in their season series, making their upcoming three-game set at Truist Park from September 24-26 even more significant, as it represents the second-to-last series of the regular season.

The loss of McNeil adds to the challenges facing the Mets as they push towards a potentially promising postseason. His ability to produce runs and create scoring opportunities has been especially valuable during their recent success. The next few weeks will be vital for the team as they work to adjust to his absence and aim for a playoff spot.