BOSTON — Mark Vientos is again within the huge leagues, however how typically he’ll get to play stays a query.
The Mets known as up the primary baseman/third baseman Friday afternoon to take the spot of outfielder Starling Marte on the roster. With DJ Stewart on the foremost league roster and Jeff McNeil capable of play proper area, the membership didn’t have a urgent want for an additional outfielder and Vientos had been hitting the ball arduous with Triple-A Syracuse, so the Mets determined to name him up.
However, he was not within the lineup for the primary recreation in opposition to the Boston Red Sox and it’s unclear simply how a lot he’ll play in Marte’s absence. Marte was positioned on the 10-day injured listing with migraines Thursday, retroactive to June 17, however supervisor Buck Showalter mentioned he had a “good day” Friday.
Vientos, a right-handed hitter, is not going to be within the lineup Saturday in opposition to right-hander James Paxton both, with Showalter citing reverse splits. The veteran right-hander has held right-handed hitters to only a .173 common this season and a .567, however he’s given up seven homers to righties this season and solely two to lefties.
“I’m not going to totally commit to tomorrow because [left-hander James Paxton] is kind of a reverse split guy,” Showalter mentioned Friday afternoon at Fenway Park earlier than the Mets started a three-game sequence in opposition to the Red Sox. “I’m not going to do him a favor by putting a lot of right-handed hitters in there. We’re going to try to win the game tonight and see if there is a spot for Mark to contribute and see where we are tomorrow.”
Vientos performed 16 video games for the Major League Mets earlier this season. The membership saved him round for a month as a bench bat and he was by no means actually capable of finding his offensive stride with inconsistent taking part in time. The Mets put Vietnos within the lineup on back-to-back days solely as soon as throughout his first huge league stint of the season, principally utilizing him as a late-game alternative.
The 23-year-old is hoping for extra taking part in time this time round, however he is aware of it could not come. He’s coming off a scorching stretch in Syracuse, having his .351 with 4 residence runs over his final 10 video games and looking forward to an opportunity to see if he can hit huge league pitching. Overall, he’s hitting .307 with a 1.000 OPS, 16 residence runs and 50 RBI in Syracuse.
He’s assured that his bat “will play” at a better degree.
“My swing feels good. Everything feels good,” Vientos mentioned. “I don’t see any adjustments I have to make. I have to work because I’m not as good as I want to be and I’m still working on things that I have to do every single day. But hitting right now, I feel good.”
The Mets primarily used Vientos as a DH earlier this season and he obtained into 5 video games (three begins) as a primary baseman and two (each begins) at third base. He has not performed any outfield for the Mets this season at any degree, however he has prior to now. The lineup choices usually are not Showalter’s alone. It’s a collaborative effort with the entrance workplace and the analytics workforce. There have been legitimate questions on Vientos’ protection and footwork earlier this season however the Mets don’t at present have a full-time right-handed DH and Vientos checks that field.
The hesitation to play one of many membership’s prime prospects stays an odd storyline this season.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Outfielder Tommy Pham underwent one other MRI on his proper groin they usually got here again destructive. He was out of the lineup Friday and is taken into account day-to-day. He left Thursday’s recreation in opposition to the Chicago White Sox at residence after feeling tightness within the area for the second time in almost three weeks. Pham, who beforehand missed time with a groin harm earlier in his profession, left a recreation in San Diego when it tightened up proper earlier than the All-Star break.
“You have to listen to him, even though Tommy is going to always tell you he’s a go,” Showalter mentioned. “Tommy didn’t want to come out of that game, but we listen to him and he’s always very forthright and honest about how he’s feeling. We’ll see how he feels when he gets here.”
BROTHERLY LOVE
Infield coach Joey Cora is dealing with his youthful brother, Red Sox supervisor Alex Cora, this weekend. Several family members are in attendance for the event, together with Joey’s spouse and daughter.
“He’s proud of his brother,” Showalter mentioned. “I know what a good quality baseball man Joey is and I know Alex is too. They’ve got a lot of family here and there are some birthdays they’re celebrating.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com