DJ Stewart wins it, and Vientos gets sent down again
DJ Stewart's three run home run in the sixth inning on Tuesday. Plus, some thoughts on Mark Vientos.
What’s Up with the Mets? ⚾️
The Mets defeated the Cubs 4-2 on Tuesday to even their four-game series (box)
LHP Sean Manaea started for the Mets and, while he issued four walks, allowed only one run over five innings
DJ Stewart provided the offense for the Mets with a go-ahead, three-run home run in the sixth inning - it was his second tie-breaking homer of the season (4/8 vs ATL)
The Mets got four strong innings out of their bullpen — Sean Reid-Foley, Reed Garrett, Adam Ottavino and Jorge López combined to allowed only one run and one hit to close the game out
The Mets scattered six singles around Stewart’s home run, went 1-for-3 with runners in scoring position and left five runners on-base
The Mets are now 9-5 in one or two run games, 5-2 in one-run games, 7-3 when leading after six innings, 10-3 when leading after seven innings, 13-0 when leading after eight innings, 7-7 vs the NL Central, 10-5 when scoring four or more runs, and went 15-11 in April
Roster Moves 🗞️
Reinstated OF Starling Marte from the bereavement list
Optioned INF Mark Vientos to Triple-A Syracuse
Down on the Farm 🌾
INF José Iglesias (Triple-A Syracuse): 2-for-5, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 3 R
INF Yolmer Sánchez (Triple-A Syracuse): 2-for-4, 2B, HR, 4 RBI, 3 R
RHP Wyatt Hudepohl (Single-A St. Lucie): 5 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K
OF Christopher Suero (Single-A St. Lucie): 2-for-4, HR, 4 RBI, 3 R
RHP Douglas Orellana (Single-A Brooklyn): 4.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
Today’s Game 🗓
Match-up: Mets (15-14) vs. Cubs (18-12)
Where: Citi Field — Flushing, NY
Starters: RHP José Buttó (0-1, 2.86 ERA) vs. LHP Shota Imanaga (4-0, 0.98 ERA)
When: 7:10 PM EDT
Where to Watch: SNY
Mark Vientos has done everything the Mets have asked of him ✍️
A challenging spring for Mark Vientos authored itself another chapter on Tuesday, as the Mets announced that the young infielder was headed back to the minor leagues.
According to reports, the club’s plan was to only have Vientos up with the team to cover Starling Marte’s stint on the bereavement list that lasted just four days.
“Yeah,” Vientos said to reporters. “I was hoping it would be longer.”
It’s been a tough go of it over the last two months for Vientos. After spending the majority of Spring Training being told that he was going to be the team’s starting designated hitter and being given public support on the matter by the organization, New York signed J.D. Martínez in the final week of camp, signaling a change for Vientos’ trajectory in 2024 and perhaps beyond.
Despite Martínez needing time in the minor leagues to gear up for the season — a stint that wound up lasting nearly all of April due to a minor injury setback — the Mets chose to keep Vientos in the minor leagues and gave his roster spot to Zack Short instead. Short was designated for assignment on Friday when the club activated Martínez from the minors.
Some questioned that decision at the time when it was assumed Martínez would need just 10 days to get ready, and in retrospect it is fair to wonder why they didn’t choose to let Vientos start the season with the big league team.
Still, though, Vientos did not let those decisions affect his play when they easily could have. In 23 games with Triple-A Syracuse this season, Vientos batted .302/.388/.535 with five home runs, three doubles, a triple, 22 RBI and a .923 OPS.
When he finally did get the call-up to the majors — ironically the same weekend that the Mets activated Martínez — Vientos was ready. In just three games with the team, the young right-hander went 3-for-7 including a monstrously clutch walk-off, two run home run in the 11th inning vs the Cardinals on Sunday.
You could tell how much that moment meant to Vientos from the level of exaltation that exploded from him as he rounded the bases, and his teammates knew it, too.
Regardless of what you think of Vientos as his prospects as a major leaguer — and the opinions are mixed — you cannot argue that he hasn’t done everything that this organization has asked of him. Despite the assurances he was given publicly in spring being undone by the signing of Martínez, not being called up to the team to start the season, and not getting more than three games to prove himself in his most recent stint, Vientos has never once complained or let it affect his attitude or play.
It is commendable for a young player such as this to do what he’s done in the way that he’s done it. At some point, though, something will have to give here. The Mets eventually need to do right by Vientos — he’s earned as much. Perhaps that means he gets another call-up at some point in the near future to take some playing time away from Brett Baty, who is quietly hitting .200/.273/.240 over his last 17 games.
If not, however, there will come a time where Mets may need to see if they can find a trade partner that will allow Vientos the opportunity to get regular major league playing time.
Around the League 🚩
Mike Trout is out again — he is expected to miss four to six weeks after tearing the meniscus in his knee
The Rockies blew a 5-0 lead in the ninth inning to the Marlins, scored one in the tenth before allowing two runs in the bottom half of the inning to fall to Miami 7-6
The Red Sox shutout the Giants 4-0 thanks in part to five shutdown innings from Cooper Criswell and a three-hit night from Wilyer Abreu
The Twins edged the White Sox 6-5, highlighted by the return of fireballing closer Jhoan Duran
Luis Castillo fired seven shutout innings as the Mariners edged the Braves 3-2
I like Vientos. Seems like a good kid. And you're correct: He did everything the Mets asked of him. Moreover, he proved to be clutch - unlike most of his teammates. He certainly earned a better chance in the majors whether it be with the Mets or another team. Seems to me they're waiting for the trade deadline. That will surely feel like forever to him.
As for Mike Trout and his torn meniscus:
Ouch! Only 4 to 6 weeks?