The New York Mets are finally about to have a fully healthy lineup for the first time in over two months.
Before the start of their series against the Milwaukee Brewers, the Mets announced they are activating Luis Robert Jr. off the 60-day injured list. Robert has been sidelined since April 30 with a lumbar spine disc herniation.
In corresponding roster moves, the Mets announced they have optioned infielders Eric Wagaman and Zack Short to Triple-A Syracuse.
Before his injury, Robert was settling in nicely at the plate. That included a walk-off home run during the Mets' opening series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. But as his back injury worsened, his numbers started to decline. In 24 games, he hit .224/.327/.329 with two home runs and a .656 OPS.
His absence opened the door for top prospect center fielder A.J. Ewing, who has been nothing short of sensational in his first taste of the majors. Ewing has been one of the few bright spots in what has been a dismal season for New York. In 60 games, he's hitting .276/.346/.433 with seven home runs, 10 stolen bases and a .779 OPS.
With Robert's return, the Mets suddenly have a crowded outfield. Juan Soto and Carson Benge have locked down the corner spots. Tyrone Taylor has also been fantastic since returning from his own stint on the injured list. In 15 games since coming back, Taylor is hitting .379 with 11 hits, four home runs, four RBI and seven runs scored.
The Mets also have Brett Baty, who has lost his everyday role with Marcus Semien and Francisco Lindor back in the lineup. Baty started in right field during Sunday's series finale against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Interim manager Andy Green has previously said the Mets would find playing time for Robert when he returned. As much as the team wants to keep Ewing and Benge in the lineup every day, they suddenly have too many mouths to feed.
The designated hitter spot is occupied by Jorge Polanco, who returned before the All-Star break. However, Polanco still isn't 100 percent and has continued to receive regular rest days.
After spending months patching together a lineup because of multiple long-term injuries, the Mets suddenly have more position players than lineup spots. The only regular still sidelined is Mark Vientos, who broke his hand a couple of weeks ago.
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Of course, many of these roster questions could solve themselves with the trade deadline now just two weeks away. Robert Jr. and Taylor are both candidates to be moved, as each is in the final year of his contract.
Either way, the Mets will gladly take this version of a crowded roster over the depleted one they had to compete with for much of the season.
