Two seasons in the past looks like a lifetime in the past for Mark Vientos of the New York Mets.
The 26-year-old Vientos appeared on the cusp of a real breakout after a 2024 season that noticed him publish a 134 OPS+ and smack 27 dwelling runs. Nevertheless, Vientos has struggled to return near that offensive manufacturing since then, and a hand harm suffered on Thursday in opposition to the Kansas City Royals will preserve Vientos on the shelf for what may very well be a big period of time.
Beginning the sport at third base, Vientos was hit by a Michael Wacha pitch within the backside of the second inning. The harm was later identified as a fractured bone in his proper hand.
Interim supervisor Andy Inexperienced confirmed after the sport that “it’ll be an IL placement” for Vientos and could not say if surgical procedure could be a risk to repair the fracture.
Mark Vientos was already having a troublesome season
This season, Vientos was slashing .211/.253/.388 in 253 plate appearances, leading to a .641 OPS. That is down from final season’s .702 OPS, which is a drop from his .837 OPS in 2024.
The downhill slide of Vientos just isn’t solely worrisome, however including inquiries to what his future could be in Queens. He has performed 60 video games for the Mets this season at first base however has struggled mightily there. His minus-seven Outs Above Common and MLB-high seven errors on the place is displaying the place experiment is not working.
Nevertheless, the Mets are beginning to run out of choices for Vientos. Together with his struggles on the plate and within the area, Jared Younger has been receiving extra innings at first base. In the meantime, Bo Bichette and Brett Baty have given the Mets choices at third base.
Vientos is not scheduled to change into a free agent till 2030, so the Mets must determine his future path as soon as he returns from harm. The roster may look totally different as nicely whereas Vientos is out, with Ronny Mauricio “the obvious candidate” to take Vientos’ roster spot, per MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo.
Moreover, DiComo reminds readers that the Mets infield will welcome again Marcus Semien from a left hip flexor pressure in late July or early August.
There are many components working in opposition to Vientos as he and the Mets work out subsequent steps from an harm that continues a nightmare season for him in Queens.
