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The New York Mets reportedly could get a promotion if they advance to the National League Championship Series.
according to espnJeff McNeil was with the team and took infield and batting practice before Wednesday’s Game 4 of the NL Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. The plan is for the infielder, who has been sidelined since Sept. 6 with a fractured right wrist, to participate in Arizona Fall League games on Friday and Saturday.
If everything goes according to plan, he could rejoin the team for the NLCS starting on Sunday.
As ESPN reported, New York petitioned Major League Baseball to allow McNeil to appear in AFL games as a way to face live pitching as Hurricane Milton affected the team’s spring training facilities in Florida. Used to be.
The league approved, and he will now work toward a possible return.
This is not the first time that a National League team has made such a move in an effort to get back a key part of the lineup for the postseason. Kyle Schwarber was with the Chicago Cubs in 2016 and participated in one AFL game before rejoining the team for the World Series after missing most of the campaign due to an ACL injury.
Schwarber hit .412 during the series and started the team’s winning rally with a single in the top of the 10th inning of Game 7.
The Mets will want McNeil to make a similar impact in their postseason run. They entered Wednesday’s Game 4 against Philadelphia with a 2-1 series lead with a chance to clinch their first trip to the NLCS since 2015.
While McNeil was solid but not spectacular this season before the injury, he is a two-time All-Star who led the league with a .326 batting average in 2022. He is also versatile enough to play multiple positions when needed regardless of his primary position. The second basis is.
The veteran hitter slashed .238/.308/.384 with 12 home runs and 44 RBI this season before the setback.
Jose Iglesias has played well in his place, although McNeil’s return will give the Mets more options as they chase a championship.