Mets' Jeff McNeil Could Make Injury Return if NY Clinches NLCS Berth in MLB Playoffs

The New York Mets reportedly could receive a boost if they advance to the National League Championship Series.

According to ESPN, Jeff McNeil was with the team and took infield and batting practice ahead of Wednesday's Game 4 of the NL Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. The plan is for the infielder, who has been sidelined since Sept. 6 with a fractured right wrist, to participate in Arizona Fall League games on Friday and Saturday.

If all goes according to plan, he could rejoin the team for the NLCS that starts Sunday.

As ESPN explained, New York petitioned Major League Baseball to allow McNeil to appear in the AFL games as a way of facing live pitching because Hurricane Milton is impacting the team's spring training facilities in Florida.

The league approved, and now he will work toward a potential return.

This is not the first time a National League team has taken such measures in an effort to get a key piece of the lineup back during the postseason. Kyle Schwarber was with the Chicago Cubs in 2016 and participated in an AFL game before rejoining the team for the World Series after he missed the majority of the campaign with an ACL injury.

All Schwarber did was hit .412 during the series and start the team's winning rally in the top of the 10th inning of Game 7 with a single.

The Mets would love for McNeil to have a similar impact in their own postseason run. They entered Wednesday's Game 4 against Philadelphia with a 2-1 lead in the series with the opportunity to clinch their first trip to the NLCS since 2015.

While McNeil was solid but unspectacular this season before the injury, he is a two-time All-Star who led the league with a .326 batting average in 2022. He is also versatile enough to play multiple positions if needed even though his primary spot is second base.

The veteran slashed .238/.308/.384 with 12 home runs and 44 RBI this season prior to the setback.

Jose Iglesias has played well in his place, although McNeil's return would give the Mets more options as they chase a championship.