Mets Pause Jorge Polanco’s Rehab Due To Ankle Soreness

Jorge Polanco has been on the injured record since mid-April as a consequence of a proper wrist contusion. He started a rehab task at Double-A Binghamton on Could twenty seventh and just lately moved as much as Triple-A Syracuse. Nevertheless, the Mets introduced final night time that Polanco’s rehab is being paused as a consequence of him experiencing ankle soreness throughout a operating development. Polanco is being despatched for additional analysis.

The brand new ankle damage continues a irritating first season in New York for Polanco, who signed a two-year, $40MM contract in December. Polanco solely bought into 14 video games earlier than touchdown on the IL, batting .179/.246/.286 with a 53 wRC+. He was suffering from left Achilles soreness in that point, which doubtless contributed to the downturn. Polanco served because the designated hitter in 12 video games and performed first base within the different two earlier than the wrist damage cropped up. Juan Soto and MJ Melendez have lined DH within the meantime. Mark Vientos has been the first choice at first base.

At this level, it’s arduous to inform when Polanco would possibly return from the IL. The Mets will most likely proceed with warning in mild of Polanco’s renewed ankle points. There’s additionally little urgency to carry him again given how badly the staff is struggling. New York is in final place within the NL East with a 28-36 document, they usually’re already 15.5 video games again of the MLB-best Braves. Polanco might be higher than a 53 wRC+ hitter, however even when he had been wholesome, he alone wouldn’t be sufficient to beat the Mets’ offensive woes. An up to date timeline on Polanco must be recognized after the checks are accomplished.

The Mets’ offense has been one of many league’s worst in 2026, with the group’s 87 wRC+ topping solely the Rockies and Padres. Soto is predictably glorious, whereas Carson Benge, the second-best certified hitter, has a 97 wRC+ that places him barely under common. The opposite 4 certified bats – Brett Baty, Marcus Semien, Bo Bichette, and Vientos – are 17-27% worse than common by wRC+. For Mets followers, it’s uninspiring to see Polanco injured whereas Pete Alonso (who Polanco successfully changed on the roster) is hitting nicely in Baltimore. On the finish of the day, although, the staff’s lack of ability to hit this yr goes far past Polanco.

The trail to respectable hitting will depend upon the non-Soto hitters taking part in as much as their true potential. Benge, the membership’s No. 3 prospect in 2025 according to MLB.com, will clearly get extra time to ascertain himself within the Majors. Bichette’s batting common, slugging share, and wOBA are all no less than 50 factors behind his anticipated numbers, so he ought to enhance ultimately. Vientos is batting .243 on balls in play, which is nicely under league common. Baty and Semien are much less doubtless to enhance, given the previous’s skinny offensive observe document and the latter’s continued decline in his mid-30s.

Picture courtesy of Wendell Cruz, Imagn Photographs