Jeff McNeil returned to a lineup today. Not a major league one, but he took the next step back in his rehab from an early injury. McNeil played five innings for a Mets’ minor league team on the back fields in Port St. Lucie, Florida on Sunday.
He had been dealing with a left bicep issue that occurred while swinging a bat early in spring. The plan was for McNeil to play in the minor league spring training game then make his debut with the major-league team on Tuesday.
Across the five minor league innings, McNeil went 2-for-3 at the plate with two line drive base hits up the middle. He played second base in each of those five innings.
McNeil had arguably the worst year of his career last season. He did hit .270, but only posted an OPS of .711. His power disappeared and his 2022 National League batting championship .326 batting average dropped quite a ways. A healthy McNeil will be a large determining factor into the 2024 Mets success.
As mentioned, the next step for McNeil appears to be the spring training game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday at Clover Park.
