New York Mets third baseman Mark Vientos was placed on the injured list Thursday after sustaining a fracture in his right hand when he was hit by a pitch during the team's 7-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals.
Vientos was struck by a Michael Wacha fastball in the second inning. He remained in the game initially and advanced to first base after being attended to by the training staff, but he was removed after the inning. Interim manager Andy Green confirmed postgame that Vientos would head to the IL with the fracture.
This season, Vientos has recorded 11 home runs and an on-base plus slugging (OPS) of .644. He has primarily been used against left-handed pitchers.
With Vientos sidelined, the Mets may consider calling up Ronny Mauricio from Triple-A Syracuse, who was recently demoted. In Thursday's game, however, the team utilized A.J. Ewing at second base for a significant portion of the remaining innings. Ewing, who the Mets view as a potential center fielder of the future, also demonstrated defensive versatility, making a diving stop at the position during the fifth inning.
Ewing, who has occasionally played second base in practice since his major league call-up in May, expressed excitement about the opportunity. "I was excited to go out there," Ewing said. "I wish I got a ground ball."
Green praised Ewing's flexibility, stating, "His defensive versatility really saved us. He was our safety net." Teammate Jared Young also commented on Ewing's athleticism, calling him "a crazy athlete."
The Mets employed various defensive alignments throughout the latter part of the game. In the ninth inning, Francisco Lindor entered at shortstop, with Ewing returning to center field, Brett Baty moving to second base, and Bo Bichette shifting from shortstop to third base.
In other injury news, Green indicated that pitcher Austin Warren is expected to resume throwing in approximately five days. Warren, a right-hander, was placed on the IL with a right forearm strain, and there had been prior concerns he might require a second Tommy John surgery. "We don't see this as a long-term thing," Green said.
Pitcher Dedniel Núñez, currently rehabbing with Triple-A Syracuse, is still working to regain consistency before he can be considered for the major league bullpen. Núñez is recovering from Tommy John surgery. "He's getting closer," Green said of the right-hander.
Luis Robert Jr. continues his minor league rehabilitation assignment with Double-A Binghamton as he recovers from a lumbar spinal disc herniation.
Lindor was available to enter the game off the bench Thursday. Green had stated prior to the game that the shortstop had progressed beyond the need for complete days off, following his return from a calf strain that had sidelined him for over two months.