The Mets dropped to 28-36 after Saturday’s loss to the Padres, and now they’re dealing with another injury setback that could extend their struggles.
Jorge Polanco’s return from the injured list hit a snag over the weekend. The veteran infielder was pulled from his rehab assignment Saturday due to ankle soreness and he’s heading back to New York for further evaluation.
This comes after some optimism earlier in the week. Beat writer Anthony DiComo reported that the Mets could activate Polanco as soon as Friday in San Diego, with the plan for him to mostly DH once he returned.
That timeline’s now up in the air.
“Jorge Polanco’s imminent return to the Mets may not be so imminent,” Mike Puma wrote in the New York Post. The issue appears to be related to the same Achilles bursitis that’s been bothering Polanco since late March.
Manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed after Saturday’s game that Polanco felt discomfort during his running progression before the rehab game. According to SNY Mets, Mendoza said it’s connected to the Achilles issue that originally landed him on the IL.
It’s a frustrating development for a team that can’t afford many more setbacks. The Mets aren’t completely out of contention yet – there’s still plenty of baseball left to play. But when you’re already struggling to find consistency, losing a veteran bat like Polanco for an extended period makes things that much harder.
The 30-year-old was expected to be a key piece in the Mets’ lineup this season. He’s appeared in just 28 games so far, hitting .245 with three home runs.
Now it’s wait and see what the evaluation reveals. The Mets need all the help they can get right now, and Polanco’s ongoing Achilles issues aren’t making things any easier as they try to turn this season around.
