Mets manager Carlos Mendoza spoke to reporters prior to Saturday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals and addressed a number of different topics…
Confidence in Brett Baty and Luisangel Acuña
Despite riding a five-game hitting streak, Brett Baty is on the bench Saturday and Luisangel Acuña is starting at second base. Mendoza talked about his decision with the Cardinals starting LHP Matthew Liberatore, making it clear both players understand they will have plenty of chances to play.
“I don’t necessarily go and tell them why, by now they both know that they are both going to get opportunities,” Mendoza said. “And it doesn’t necessarily have to be against the lefties or the righties. I think I gave Acuñathe other day a couple of starts against right-handed pitching. And there’ll be days with Baty, he’ll stay in there with lefties, too.
“I think it just comes down to continuing to build the confidence for both of them. Not only Baty, who’s playing really, really well. Acuña’s been playing really, really well. Just continuing to communicate with those guys that they are good major league players. And now we’re seeing that… I think everybody’s different and you can manage a lot of different ways.”
Over the last seven games, Baty is 8-for-25 (.320) with two doubles, one triple, two RBI, one walk, and one steal while Acuña is batting .368 (7-for-19) with four runs, two doubles, one RBI, three walks, and four steals.
Jeff McNeil getting close to return
Mendoza was asked if Jeff McNeil would be ready in time to play on Monday when the Mets begin a three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies and said they will wait and see. He’s scheduled to play with Double-A Binghamton on Saturday and Sunday.
“We’ll see,” Mendoza said. “He’s scheduled to play today and tomorrow, back-to-back. And we’ll see where we’re at after that.”
McNeil played center field for the first time on Friday night during his rehab assignment with Single-A St. Lucie, logging six innings of action.
Of course, when McNeil does return, the Mets will need to make a roster decision. Mendoza gave a similar answer when asked if there’s a scenario in which Baty and Acuña would both be able to stay with the team after McNeil returns.
“We’ll see, we’ll make that decision when we get there, we’re still a few days away,” Mendoza said. “The good thing is, if we are having this discussion, it’s a good thing. That means Baty continues to play well, that means Acuña continues to play well and they’re making that decision very tough on us. That’s what we want. So hopefully that’s the case in a few days from now where we get in that room and make a difficult decision. They’re both earning playing time and they’re both proving they’re big league players.”
Plan for Francisco Alvarez
Catcher Francisco Alvarez, who’s recovering from a broken hamate bone in his left hand, is nearing his return to the majors and will catch again on Saturday for Double-A Binghamton.
“Scheduled to catch nine innings today, maybe he’ll DH tomorrow,” Mendoza said. “As far as from the medical staff, he’s going to be clear. It’s now, ‘Do you need more at-bats just to get your timing right? Or are you ready to come up and start playing big league games?’
“I think after he plays today, he caught nine innings last night, after he plays today, I think maybe DH tomorrow. And then after that, knock on wood, from a medical standpoint he’s going to be clear.”
Over six games with St. Lucie and Binghamton, Alvarez is 4-for-22 (.182) at the plate with one home run and three RBI.
Mendoza had said Thursday that Alvarez’s return date will depend on if he needs more at-bats to feel ready for big league action, but he could return during the team’s homestand. He also noted Luis Torrens will continue to see playing time.
“They’re both going to play,” Mendoza said. “I got to take care of Alvy, too, I’m not going to run him into the ground. And Luis is playing well. That’s a luxury to have, when you got two guys that you feel good about your chances, doesn’t matter who’s in the lineup. That’s credit to Alvy and that’s credit to Luis.
“I could see a scenario here where they both will play. Schedule will dictate a lot of that, where you’re playing a lot of games in a row, day games, night games. All of that factors into the decision making, but I could see both of them playing.”
José Azócar making season debut
With Jose Siri on the IL, Mendoza is giving José Azócar a chance in the starting lineup after he was added to the roster on Thursday.
“He’s here and we’re going to use him,” Mendoza said. “It’s something that I always put a lot of value, using the whole roster. Obviously giving TT (Tyrone Taylor) a day here, he’s been playing a lot too and I got to protect him a little bit.”
Mendoza likes what he’s seen from Azócar, who hit .250 with one home run over 44 at-bats in spring training after playing the past three seasons with the San Diego Padres. He owns a .243 average with 21 RBI over 214 career major league games.
“Good ballplayer, he’s a guy that can play defense, can play all three (outfield spots), can run the bases, and can give you good at-bats too,” Mendoza said. “He’s got some big league experience, brings a lot of energy. Yeah, I’m excited to have him here.”
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