Jorge Polanco's offensive slump persisted Wednesday, as the designated hitter went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts in the New York Mets' 3-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves in the first game of a doubleheader at Citi Field.
Since returning from a nearly three-month injured list stint for wrist and ankle issues, Polanco has struggled, entering Wednesday's nightcap hitting just 4-for-41 with three singles and a double. He has recorded at least one strikeout in eight of his last nine games, tallying 13 punchouts in 29 at-bats during that stretch. Polanco has been unable to play the field due to Achilles bursitis, serving solely as the designated hitter.
In his final at-bat of the game, with the bases loaded in the seventh inning against pitcher Danny Young, Polanco struck out swinging, drawing boos from the home crowd. This came after a frame in which his team had taken the lead.
Interim manager Andy Green suggested Polanco is still finding his timing after his 12th game back from the injured list. "He squared up [Tarik] Skubal for two home runs in the postseason last year," Green said, referencing Polanco's performance with the Mariners. "He is ridiculously good. And he hasn’t been able to find his timing or rhythm right-handed [or] left-handed. He’s obviously dealt with injuries all year, so he’s someone that we know we’re one swing away. We’d all like that swing to get here."
Despite being signed through the next year, Polanco's current performance is drawing scrutiny, particularly in light of the Mets' decision to let Pete Alonso depart for Baltimore on a five-year, $155 million contract. The club replaced Alonso with the veteran infielder Polanco, who has a history of injuries and limited experience at first base. This move, at least in its first year, has not yielded the expected results, with both Polanco and his alternative, Mark Vientos, struggling with health and production.
Polanco, who was a postseason standout a year ago with 26 home runs and an .821 OPS, has time to rebound if he can regain his health. However, his confidence may also need rebuilding, evidenced by his seventh-inning sacrifice bunt attempt with the bases loaded, a move rarely seen from a power hitter and one that did not result in a run.
Following the game, Polanco was unavailable for interviews due to time spent in the training room, according to a Mets official. Green expressed confidence in a turnaround, stating, "I know he’s grinding on it harder than anybody is, but we do have a ton of confidence that moment is coming, where unleash the floodgates and the Polanco who he’s always been will be there."