After inserting Polanco as the designated hitter in the last two games, as the veteran infielder deals with Achilles soreness, Polanco was not in Tuesday’s lineup against the Cardinals. It’s the first game Polanco has missed early on, but the Mets captain indicated this was a planned day off for Polanco.
Advertisement
“It was just a day off. In the middle of a nine-game streak here,” Mendoza said before Tuesday’s game. “He was going to have a day here. I thought today, with a left-handed pitcher tomorrow, it was going to be today or tomorrow and I decided to do it today. I woke up today and he’s in a good place.”
When asked if Polanco will remain the Mets’ designated hitter when he returns to the lineup tomorrow or will play first, Mendoza said he wasn’t sure but wanted to get through Tuesday’s game first. However, he said he “wouldn’t be surprised” if he wrote Polanco’s name on first base tomorrow.
Through four games, Polanco is 3 for 15 with a double and an RBI as a Met.
Mendoza was asked about the possibility of seating other veterans as Marco Semien. The coach gave insight into his thought process and boiled it down to open communication between coach and player.
Advertisement
“Everyone wants to play 162, but we have to account for a lot of these guys,” he said. “I’ll continue to talk to him, I’ll continue to visit him after every game. If it doesn’t happen in this stretch of nine, it will happen. The player will need a day or two. They want to play, they take pride in posting and being available. That’s part of getting to know each other here. And we’ll move forward from here.”
Francisco Lindor, who had offseason surgery for a hamate bone, has yet to miss a game or play shortstop. Mendoza said the same philosophy applies to Lindor, but knowing what Lindor is like, he will have to work on him to give him a break early on.
“It will be fluid, but we will have to be smart,” Mendoza said.
Devin Williams ‘Elite’ Stuff
Williams’ second appearance with the Mets came in a save situation Monday night, and the All-Star reliever showed why the team acquired him this offseason.
Advertisement
Williams needed just 12 pitches (10 strikes) to put together a 1-2-3 ninth inning and secure the team’s third win of the season.
“It looked pretty nasty. If you look at the metrics, it was pretty good,” Mendoza said of Williams and his changeup. “He’s elite. And when he’s on his game and at his best, he’s pretty tough. It was good to see him out there, getting the first one out of the way and we’ve got to keep him there.”
In his two appearances, Williams has been nearly perfect. He has allowed one baserunner (one walk) in 2.0 innings pitched while striking out three batters.