Ahead of Friday's series opener against the Pirates, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza spoke about a number of players and topics…
Plan, expectation for Blade Tidwell
With Griffin Canning out for the season with a ruptured Achilles, Tidwell was called up to seemingly take the starter's spot in the rotation. Mendoza was asked directly if that is the plan for Tidwell.
"As of right now, we're looking at him," he said. "He's available out of the bullpen today. Then for him to take that turn, he'll pitch again in the Brewers series."
Mendoza said he wasn't committed to giving Tidwell multiple starts, but they are taking it "one start at a time."
This doesn't come as a surprise. While the Mets look for fresh starters to replace Kodai Senga, Tylor Megill and now Canning, Tidwell has had some — albeit limited — experience in the big leagues. The young right-hander has just two big league starts under his belt. He allowed six runs in 3.2 innings against the Cardinals back on May 4 and then allowed two runs in 3.2 innings in Philadelphia last weekend.
Down in Syracuse, Tidwell pitched to a 4-4 record and a 4.76 ERA but has 73 strikeouts over 62.1 innings pitched across 13 games (11 starts).
Why Jared Young was optioned
One of the surprises on Friday was the Mets' decision to keep Ronny Mauricio on the roster when Mark Vientos was activated from the IL. Young became the odd man out with Vientos' return and Mendoza explained the reasoning behind the move. "We just feel at-bats are going to be limited. Keeping a guy like Mauricio that can provide some versatility, the way he's been playing as of late, there's going to be enough at-bats for him to keep him on the roster. Brett Baty continues to play well. We just felt like we were better, as of right now, with the way the roster is constructed."
Young played 17 games with the Mets but tallied just seven hits in 41 at-bats (.171) with three home runs and four RBI with a .642 OPS. His playing time was cut short due to the emergence of the young infielders. Young will return to Syracuse, where he was solid, hitting .259 with five home runs and 21 RBI across 22 games in Triple-A. He also played at first, second and third base, giving the Mets a versatile bat if they need one in the future.
Jeff McNeil seeing more time in center field?
Part of McNeil's game is his versatility around the diamond, but with so many young infielders on the roster (Vientos, Baty, Mauricio) is Mendoza and the Mets comfortable with McNeil playing in center more often?
"We feel comfortable. He continues to go out there, make routine plays. Made an unbelievable play the other day," Mendoza said. "He's a baseball player. Not only we see it in the infield, we see it in the outfield as well. I could see a scenario where Jeff goes out there and allows to keep some of these younger players getting reps in the infield as well."
As Mendoza pointed out, using McNeil primarily in the outfield — opposite the right-handed Tyrone Taylor — would allow for the three young infielders to get everyday at-bats as it opens up second base for Mauricio and Baty. It also keeps McNeil's bat in the lineup more often, especially since he's begun to pick it up offensively of late.
So far this season, McNeil is hitting .255 with eight home runs and 26 RBI across 50 games. But in June, McNeil is having his best month, slashing .266/.330/.506 with five home runs and 14 RBI.
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