Jeff McNeil to miss start of season.

Posted by: Patrick Gorman 03/17/2025

Earlier this week at Mets camp the injury bug took its next victim in Jeff McNeil. McNeil has a diagnosed low-grade oblique strain and will be shut down from baseball activities for 7-10 days. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza stated that "he could be sidelined for 3-4 weeks". This timeline will have McNeil to miss the first couple weeks of the season which means another opportunity opens up for the young guys.

The young guys that come to mind are Brett Baty and Luis Angel Acuna. Both players were battling for the final bench spot on the roster, but with McNeil to start the season on the IL there is a clear path for both players to make the team. Baty has been hitting the cover off the ball this spring with a 1.010 OPS in 35 at bats. Acuna on the other hand is struggling with the bat this spring with a .508 OPS in 31 at bats. Baty may have an edge with that bat, but Acuna does have the edge when it comes to the glove. Acuna is well known for being very versatile with his glove with second base being more natural than it is for Baty.

There are many ways the Mets can handle the second base situation and here is how I think they should handle it. I would give this job to Brett Baty because Acuna needs to prove that he can hit AAA pitching on a consistent basis. Baty has nothing left to prove in the minors so this could possibly be his last shot with the Mets.