The New York Mets got some reinforcement Tuesday. Jorge Polanco is back from the injured list after dealing with Achilles bursitis, and the team is hoping he can provide a spark in the second half.
It has been a rough stretch for Polanco. He landed on the IL in early May and has played only 14 games this season. In those games, he managed just ten hits. Two of those came while he was playing first base, which was supposed to be his primary role after the Mets signed him to fill the void left by Pete Alonso.
The Achilles issue basically killed any chance of Polanco playing first base regularly. So the team will use him as a designated hitter for now. With Juan Soto back in the outfield and Francisco Lindor healthy again, the Mets can afford to plug Polanco into the DH spot and see what he’s got.
A Risky Bet That Hasn’t Paid Off Yet
The Mets signed Polanco to a two-year deal in the offseason, partly because they needed a versatile infielder who could handle first base. The idea was that he’d split time there and at DH, maybe even see some action at second or third. But the injury has changed everything.
Last year in Seattle, Polanco posted an .821 OPS while playing multiple positions. He got hot early in the postseason but went ice cold in the final four games of the ALCS, collecting just one hit. Some Seattle fans still think that slump cost them a shot at the World Series.
New York took a chance on him after Alonso walked. So far, it hasn’t worked. The Mets are 38-53, they fired manager Carlos Mendoza, and they’re trying to salvage a season that’s basically gone off the rails.
Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reported the roster moves: Ronny Mauricio got sent back to Triple-A, and Alex Carrillo was designated for assignment. That clears a path for Polanco to get regular at-bats as a DH.
The question now is whether Polanco can stay healthy and actually hit. He’s not a kid anymore, and these lower-body injuries tend to linger for guys who rely on their legs at the plate. The Mets don’t need him to be an All-Star. But they do need him to be the guy who hit .285 with 16 homers two years ago, not the guy who’s spent half this season on the shelf.
Polanco is supposed to be a part-time DH for now. Time will tell if he can handle more than that. The Mets have nothing to lose at this point, which is both an opportunity and a warning sign for a player trying to prove he’s still got it.
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