The Mets are shutting down outfielder Jesse Winker for the rest of the season, manager Carlos Mendoza announced. Winker’s been dealing with back inflammation since July, and his recent rehab attempt didn’t go well.
The 31-year-old went 0-for-5 with four strikeouts in his only game with Single-A St. Lucie. That’s where the comeback attempt ended.
It’s another blow to a Mets outfield that’s been banged up all year. Winker managed just 26 games this season, putting up a .198/.321/.272 line with one homer and 10 RBIs across 81 plate appearances. Not exactly the production they were hoping for when they brought him in.
The timing couldn’t be worse for Winker personally. He’s heading into free agency coming off a season where he barely played. Instead of showcasing himself for potential suitors, he’ll spend the offseason rehabbing and trying to convince teams he’s healthy for 2025.
For the Mets, they’re down to their core four outfielders: Juan Soto, Brandon Nimmo, Cedric Mullins and Starling Marte. That’s actually pretty solid depth, assuming everyone stays healthy.
The injury bug hasn’t just hit Winker, though. Defensive specialists Jose Siri and Tyrone Taylor are also on the IL. Siri’s been out since April with a fractured tibia, while Taylor just landed on the injured list with a strained hamstring.
There’s some good news on that front – both Siri and Taylor are targeting mid-September returns. That’d give the Mets some extra depth heading into the stretch run.
Don’t be surprised if the Mets look at the free-agent market for a pinch-hit bat. Someone who could potentially earn a spot on the postseason roster if they prove themselves in September. It’s not ideal planning, but that’s where they find themselves with all these injuries.
The way I see it, losing Winker hurts more from a depth perspective than production. The Mets have gotten by without him most of the year anyway. But having options always helps, especially when you’re trying to make a playoff push.
