The New York Mets’ second base situation has been a bit like a puzzle with too many pieces that don’t quite fit. Brett Baty and Luisangel Acuña, both brimming with potential, have struggled to find a steady groove.
They’ve shuffled in and out of the lineup like houseguests who can’t quite get comfortable on the couch. But just as that uncertainty begins to wear thin, the player they’re temporarily filling in for is making his way back.
McNeil’s Comeback Trail Begins
Jeff McNeil, the Mets’ reliable, contact-hitting machine and former batting champ, is taking his first steps toward returning.
The Mets Batflip account delivered the good news on X: “Jeff McNeil (right oblique strain) is beginning a rehab assignment with Low-A St. Lucie tonight.”
It’s not a full-blown comeback yet—McNeil won’t be suiting up in Queens tomorrow—but it’s progress, and the Mets could use some of that right now.
He suffered a right oblique strain back on March 13, with an estimated 3–4 week recovery timeline. True to form, McNeil’s been grinding through his rehab, and now he’s at the point where he can do everything a big leaguer needs to do.
Patience at the Plate—and the Dugout
McNeil’s return isn’t imminent. Rehab assignments aren’t just a formality; they’re a proving ground. He’ll need at least a week’s worth of at-bats to shake off the rust, and maybe a few more if timing doesn’t click right away.
But that’s expected. Much like a fine-tuned watch, McNeil’s game depends on rhythm, and rhythm doesn’t come overnight.
Also joining McNeil in St. Lucie is catcher Francisco Alvarez, as both work their way back from injury. That low-A lineup suddenly has some serious star power, if only temporarily.
More Than the Numbers Show
Last season’s .692 OPS might raise eyebrows, but McNeil’s second half told a different story. After a sluggish start, he caught fire post-All-Star break, slashing his way to a .923 OPS and helping push the Mets into a thrilling playoff run that ended in the League Championship Series.
He’s not flashy, but McNeil is one of those players who brings calm in chaos—his return could mean the end of the Baty-Acuña carousel at second and a return to something more stable in the Mets’ infield.
He’s close. Not quite there yet, but close.