UPDATE: The New York Mets are facing a critical lineup shortage as both Jeff McNeil and Brandon Nimmo have been sidelined for today’s game against the Washington Nationals. The news comes just minutes before the series finale, intensifying the pressure on a team struggling to regain momentum.
McNeil is nursing a sore right shoulder, which has kept him out of action since earlier this week. Manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed that while McNeil’s batting is not affected, the injury hampers his throwing ability. This is particularly concerning as the Mets, currently 5-15 since July 28, are fighting to stay competitive in the NL East where they trail Philadelphia by 6.5 games.
In a further blow, Nimmo is also missing from the lineup due to a stiff neck, an injury that forced him to exit Wednesday’s game in the second inning. Mendoza stated, “We didn’t see much improvement overnight,” indicating that Nimmo’s return is uncertain.
As the Mets face the Nationals, Brett Baty will step in at second base, while Tyrone Taylor takes over in left field. The situation worsened earlier this week when catcher Francisco Alvarez was diagnosed with a sprained ligament in his right thumb, requiring surgery. Despite the pain, Alvarez hopes to play through the injury after a stint on the injured list.
Backup catcher Luis Torrens had a rough outing Wednesday, suffering a hand injury during a catcher’s interference play, though Mendoza reassured fans that Torrens is “fine.”
The Mets entered this series with a three-game winning streak, but the recent injuries add significant strain to the team, which boasts the highest payroll in Major League Baseball. They remain one game ahead of Cincinnati for the final wild-card position, underscoring the urgency of their current situation.
As the game unfolds today, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how New York adjusts to these setbacks. The Mets’ playoff hopes hinge on a swift recovery, making this an urgent moment for the team. Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
