Mets center fielder Jose Siri was diagnosed with a fractured left tibia, manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters following tonight’s win over Minnesota (relayed by Newsday’s Tim Healey). He’ll go on the 10-day injured list tomorrow and is surely in line for a lengthy absence.
Siri suffered the injury on Saturday when he fouled a ball off his leg (video via SNY). He came out of the game and was replaced by Tyrone Taylor. Siri remained day-to-day when initial testing suggested it may be a shin contusion, but today’s follow-up imaging diagnosed the fracture. The IL placement will represent the Mets’ first in-season roster move aside from the DFA trade of Alexander Canario. New York has carried the same 26-man active roster since Opening Day.
It had been a frustrating start for Siri even before the injury. The righty-hitting outfielder collected just one hit in his first 20 at-bats. He has drawn four walks and stolen a couple bases, but he’d punched out eight times over 24 plate appearances. Siri’s glove is much more his calling card. He’s coming off a .187/.255/.366 showing over a career-high 130 games as a member of the Rays. The Mets acquired him in an offseason trade despite those numbers because he’s one of the best defensive center fielders in the game.
Siri and Taylor have each started eight games apiece. The latter should now be in line for more or less everyday center field work. Taylor is out to a frigid start in his own right. An 0-4 showing tonight dropped his season slash to .158/.179/.211 across 39 plate appearances. He has struck out nine times and has yet to take a walk. Taylor managed a league average .248/.299/.401 showing over 345 trips to the dish in his first season as a Met.
Brandon Nimmo started 22 games in center field as recently as last season. He has played exclusively left field this year. The Mets could kick him back over to center on occasion if they want Starling Marte to draw in left to push Taylor out of the lineup. Luisangel Acuña also logged over 250 Triple-A innings in center field last season. The Mets have only used him in the middle infield at the major league level, but he’s athletic enough to potentially get some reps in center if Taylor continues to struggle.