The New York Mets finally caught a break in what has been a miserable stretch. Jorge Polanco is expected to start a rehab assignment with Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday, according to Will Sammon of The Athletic. That puts him on track to return to the big league lineup for the first time since April 14.
Polanco landed on the injured list after playing just 14 games. In that sample, he hit .179 with one home run and two RBI. Those numbers look like a ghost of the guy who crushed 26 homers and drove in 78 runs for Seattle last season. But the Mets aren’t looking for a savior here. They’re looking for a pulse.
New York sits dead last in the NL East at 34-48. They’ve lost eight of their last 10. The front office already fired manager Carlos Mendoza and handed the interim job to Andy Green. This season has gone off the rails in about every way possible. A veteran infielder on a rehab assignment won’t fix all of that. But it’s something.
What the Mets Need From Polanco
Last year with the Mariners, Polanco slashed .265/.326/.495 and looked like a real middle-of-the-order threat. That version of him changes the way opposing pitchers approach a lineup. He gives you a right-handed bat with pop who can turn a 2-2 count into a mistake to the gap. The Mets haven’t seen that guy yet this year. This rehab stint is his chance to find that swing again.
Polanco’s assignment with Syracuse will be his first live game action since the injury. The team has not confirmed a specific timeline for his return, but reports suggest he could rejoin the Mets shortly after a handful of games in Triple-A. The infield situation in Queens has been a mess all season, and even a decent Polanco would represent an upgrade over what they’ve been running out there.
The timing also matters for the clubhouse. After a brutal losing streak and a managerial change, teams often look for any excuse to reset. A returning veteran who has been through slumps and injuries before can serve as a steady presence. Polanco has played in playoff races with the Twins and Mariners. He’s not going to get rattled by a bad stretch.
For a fan base that has watched this season spiral, the Polanco news is a small but real reason to keep paying attention. Will his return spark something? Maybe. Maybe not. Right now, the Mets will take any reason to show up and compete.
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