Jeff McNeil is likely out three to four weeks after suffering what the Mets are calling a “low-grade” right oblique strain. McNeil first felt the injury after coming out of Monday’s spring training game against the Cardinals.
Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized
According to Mets manager Carlos Mendoza this injury, while minor in nature, is “tricky,” so McNeil will go a week to ten days without baseball activities. At that time, if he’s symptom-free, McNeil can start the work back to beginning his 2025 regular season.
The Mets second baseman will miss Opening Day of what he hopes will be a comeback year. Instead, an additional infield spot opens up with Brett Baty and Luisangel Acuña at the front of the line. Baty is outperforming Acuña this spring with a 1.100 OPS compared to a .528 OPS for Luisangel.
Infielders Donovan Walton and Luis De Los Santos are still in major league camp, but neither are on the 40-man roster. Baty and Acuña are on the 40-man roster.
With the earlier injury to Nick Madrigal this spring, it’s possible both Baty and Acuña could find their way on the Opening Day roster. Acuña started at second base on Wednesday against the Cardinals and Baty is getting the start there today against the Red Sox.
