The New York Mets have activated significant roster moves. The team has placed third baseman Mark Vientos on the injured list due to a right hamstring strain. To cover this absence, they have called up the promising Ronny Mauricio.
In addition to Vientos’ injury, the Mets sent pitcher Max Kranick to Triple-A Syracuse and called up left-handed pitcher Brandon Waddell for the second game of the series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.Vientos suffered the hamstring injury while running to first base as a pinch hitter in Monday’s victory over the Dodgers. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza commented that the injury “didn’t look good” and that Vientos would undergo tests.
Mark Vientos, who had a standout performance in 2024, has experienced a decline in his offensive and defensive performance this season. He’s batting .230 with six home runs and an OPS of .678 in 53 games, after hitting 27 home runs with an OPS of .837 in 111 games last season. Vientos’ defensive difficulties led the Mets to use him more as a designated hitter, giving Brett Baty more opportunities at third base. Advanced metrics indicate that Vientos has been one of the worst defenders at third base this season.Ronny Mauricio, 24, returns to the Major Leagues after his debut with the Mets in September 2023. In his debut season, he batted .248 with two home runs, seven stolen bases, and an OPS of .643. The infielder suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee while playing in the Dominican Republic Professional Baseball League and underwent a second operation to remove scar tissue, which delayed his return to action.The Mets were cautious with Mauricio during the spring, delaying his return to games until late April. He played in five games in Low-A before spending a week in Double-A in mid-May and joining Triple-A Syracuse on May 18.Switch-hitter Mauricio had a great performance in Syracuse, batting .515 with three home runs and an OPS of 1.382 in 39 plate appearances in nine games. He played at second and third base for Syracuse, but did not play full nine-inning games at third base on consecutive days. He also played shortstop in two games in Class A-ball. In 2023, he primarily played second and third base for the Mets, although he also started two games at shortstop.
With Vientos on the injured list, Mauricio is expected to share time at third base with Baty and could start as the designated hitter.
