The New York Mets are off to a rough start, holding the worst record in MLB at 11–22. They sit in last place in the National League East.
On Saturday against the Los Angeles Angels, infielder Ronny Mauricio suffered a fractured left thumb during a headfirst slide into first base in the seventh inning. In the 4–3 loss, Mauricio went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts before going down.
It’s a major blow to the Mets’ roster, which is already dealing with a depleted infield. Mauricio had been filling in for shortstop Francisco Lindor, who is sidelined with a left calf strain. Mauricio will be heading to the 10-day injured list, officially leaving the Mets without their top two shortstops (h/t Anthony DiComo of MLB.com).
The Mets have lost both their starting shortstop and his replacement, leaving a massive void at a key defensive position. The team is recalling infielder Vidal Brujan from Triple-A Syracuse to add needed depth. Additionally, third basemanBo Bichette is a potential primary candidate to play shortstop.
Bichette has struggled this season, posting a .237 batting average, .276 on-base percentage, .594 OPS, two home runs and 15 RBIs. He is not a strong defender, relying more on his offense. However, New York may have to decide whether or not to slot him in at shortstop for the foreseeable future after multiple injuries.
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Mauricio, once one of the organization’s top prospects after signing as an international free agent, was expected to play a key role in the Mets’ long-term infield plans. Bichette, a former first-round pick and two-time All-Star, has built a reputation as a productive hitter despite defensive inconsistencies.
With both players factoring into the team’s present and future, their situations add uncertainty to an already shaky start. The Mets will have to be careful when navigating these setbacks, both in the short term and in the club's future.
