The New York Mets are sending one of their young fielders on a rehab assignment.
Infielder Ronny Mauricio will officially play in his first rehab game tonight for the Single-A St. Lucie Mets, as he looks to make his way back from a fractured right thumb he suffered over a month ago.
Mauricio fractured his right thumb during New York's game against the Los Angeles Angels back on May 2 when he slid headfirst attempting to beat out a ground ball. He was checked on by the trainers and manager Carlos Mendoza after the play and exited the game. He was placed on the injured list the next day.
The Mets called up the 25-year-old to be their starting shortstop after Francisco Lindor was placed on the IL with a left calf strain on April 22 that has still sidelined him for nearly two months. Lindor, however, seems close to returning from his respective injury, meaning that if Mauricio gets through his rehab smoothly and is activated from the IL, he could end up being optioned to Triple-A Syracuse to give him more playing time.
Mauricio has appeared in just 10 games this season for the Amazins', going 7-for-32 (.219) at the plate with a home run and two RBI.
The Mets continue to tread some water over the last several weeks, but still have a steep hill to climb in the National League playoff race. They enter Thursday in last place in the NL East at 33-41 and are 5.5 games out of the third and final Wild Card spot in the National League. New York begins a three-game series tonight against the Philadelphia Phillies, the first meeting between the two rivals this season.
Whether it's Mauricio, Lindor, or both returning to New York's active roster, they could certainly use their services to help somewhat salvage what has been a disappointing 2026 season for the Mets.
