PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The New York Mets are starting their season without one of their key players, Jeff McNeil, who is sidelined due to a right oblique strain. Mets skipper Carlos Mendoza revealed that McNeil, a past MLB batting champion, is dealing with a minor strain. Consequently, McNeil will refrain from engaging in any baseball activities for about a week to 10 days, with an expected recovery time of three to four weeks.
“It’s a low-grade issue he started feeling a few days ago,” stated Mendoza. “He showed up with soreness, and after observing no improvement after a day’s rest, we proceeded with imaging that confirmed the strain.”
The 32-year-old McNeil, who registered a .238 average with 12 homers and 44 RBIs last season, faced additional setbacks due to a previous injury. His right wrist suffered a fracture from a pitch incident involving Cincinnati’s Brandon Williamson on September 6, but he managed to make a comeback for the National League Championship Series. During the last season, McNeil was predominantly seen at second base but also played roles in both corner outfield spots.
The Mets have endured a string of injuries as they prepared for the upcoming season. Among the affected players is catcher Francisco Alvarez, who sustained a left-hand fracture during a batting practice session on Saturday, putting him out of action for six to eight weeks. Additionally, left-handed pitcher Sean Manaea (oblique), right-handed pitcher Frankie Montas (lat), and infielder Nick Madrigal (fractured shoulder) are all expected to miss the start of the season, with Madrigal’s timeline potentially stretching over the entire year.
