It sounds like the Mets could have Mark Vientos back in the lineup at some point this week.
According to manager Carlos Mendoza, Vientos will play two more rehab games with Triple-A Syracuse over the next couple of days, and if all goes to plan, the Mets will have a decision to make with the slugging infielder as early as Thursday.
“He’s going to play nine innings at third base (Tuesday) in Syracuse, and then they’ve got a day game the following day (Wednesday). Most likely, he’ll DH and then we’ll see where we are,” Mendoza said on Monday ahead of the series opener against the Braves at Citi Field. “But he’s feeling better, it’s just more like getting the volume up now.”
Vientos, who was placed on the IL on June 3 with a right hamstring strain, has played in four rehab games with Syracuse, going 2-for-17 at the plate with a double and three RBI.
Prior to suffering his injury, Vientos was slashing .230/.298/.380 with six home runs and 21 RBI in 53 games for the Mets.
If and when Vientos is activated on Thursday, the most likely corresponding move is Ronny Mauricio being optioned back to Triple-A ball.
Mauricio, who was tearing the cover off the ball with Syracuse prior to getting called up, has struggled to hit major league pitching, slashing .180/.241/.320 with two home runs, three RBI, and 18 strikeouts in 15 games.
On Sunday, the Mets sent catcher Francisco Alvarez to Triple-A to give him more playing time, and then did the same with Luisangel Acuña on Monday.
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