Mets' Jeff McNeil 'Likely' Out for Rest of MLB Season with Wrist Injury After MRI
September 7, 2024
New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza announced second baseman Jeff McNeil suffered a fracture to his wrist in Friday's 6-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds.
Mendoza said McNeil is "likely done for the year."
The two-time All-Star was hit by a pitch in the bottom of the fifth and eventually replaced in the order. Harrison Bader came on as a pinch hitter for McNeil in the sixth, while Jose Iglesias was brought in to occupy second base.
McNeil was plunked by a 74-mph curveball from Reds pitcher Brandon Williamson and his injury was initially classified as a right wrist contusion. Many fans will have assumed he'd make a quick return to the field if he missed any additional time at all.
Instead, the Mets once again have to close out the regular season without the 32-year-old, who partially tore his left UCL last September and was out for the final six games. He said he's "frustrated" to suffer the same fate two years in a row.
McNeil finishes with a career-low .238 batting average and .308 on-base percentage, though his 12 homers were his second-most ever and only the third time in seven seasons he hit double figures.
McNeil's defensive versatility was a nice luxury for Mendoza as well. Per Baseball Reference, he made 110 starts at second and spent 28 games between right and left field.
The Mets remain tied at 77-64 with the Atlanta Braves for the final wild-card spot in the National League, and FanGraphs gives them a 48 percent of qualifying for the postseason. They'll now have to maintain their playoff push without McNeil.
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