Luis Robert Jr. is nearing a return to the New York Mets from a lumbar spine disc herniation, presenting a crowded outfield situation for interim manager Andy Green.
Robert was acquired in the offseason to be the team's starting center fielder. However, during his time on the injured list, rookies A.J. Ewing and Carson Benge have emerged as significant contributors, joining established star Juan Soto in the outfield.
"All of them are going to play," Green said Saturday. "That’s right for us from a matchup perspective. That’s right from a talent-level perspective when it comes to the two kids that we feel strongly about. It’s their first full professional season — taking a day off a week as we get into the dog days of [summer] isn’t going to hurt them, it will help them.
We welcome really good baseball players back to the team and we’ll be excited to get [Robert’s] bat in the lineup, and he will get some days off as well."
Green also addressed the team's compliance with Major League Baseball's rules regarding the use of artificial intelligence in the dugout. The league issued a memo last month that stated the use of such technology for game strategy would not be permitted. The Mets were among several teams reportedly using AI tools.
"Whatever the rules are, we remain fully compliant and Major League Baseball makes those determinations, and we go out and play a game," Green said.
In other team news, pitcher Clay Holmes threw 45 pitches in a simulated game. His scheduled minor league rehab start for Single-A Brooklyn was canceled due to rain. Holmes is returning from a fractured right fibula and will need to build up to five innings pitched before he can be considered for a return to the Mets.
Eric Wagaman started at first base to provide an additional right-handed bat against left-handed pitcher Jesús Luzardo. Ideally, Jorge Polanco would be handling first base duties, but the veteran switch-hitter is not yet cleared to play the position as he recovers from his own injury. Polanco, who recently returned from the injured list, is primarily serving as the designated hitter in the short term. Green indicated that the team may explore Polanco at first base in August if he continues to feel healthy, as was the original intention when he was signed.