Ronny Mauricio soaked within the cheers Tuesday a bit of bit greater than regular.
Mauricio performed in entrance of a Mets house crowd for the primary time since Oct. 1, 2023 — earlier than he underwent two surgical procedures on his proper knee and needed to earn his means again to the majors by enjoying in 19 minor league video games.
He made his MLB season debut and appeared in 5 of seven video games on final week’s street journey.
“There was numerous sentiments felt over in Los Angeles after I first got here [up],” Mauricio stated via interpreter Alan Suriel earlier than going 0-for-3 within the 5-4, 10-inning win over the Nationals in Queens. “It’s since you are lastly again, and I’m lastly capable of notice and proceed my desires. On the identical time, nothing compares to being right here at house, nothing compares to enjoying in Citi Discipline.”
Mets followers didn’t overlook in regards to the former No. 1 prospect whereas he rehabbed a torn ACL and endured an August 2024 setback.
They clamored for him in Could to get one other shot — even with a glut of infield choices on a first-place group.
“It’s going to really feel nice to have that help from all of the followers,” Mauricio stated earlier than enjoying seven innings at third base. Brett Baty took within the eighth.
So, how has Mauricio responded to his alternative?
He went 5-for-11 with a house run and 4 runs scored whereas enjoying three totally different positions (together with designated hitter) in the course of the Mets’ three-game street sweep of the Rockies.
“Positively higher (than anticipated) after lacking a complete yr of growth,” supervisor Carlos Mendoza stated. “He’s very constant — doesn’t get too excessive, too low.”
Mauricio’s even-keeled nature was anticipated to be examined by a heat reception earlier than his first house at-bat.
“He needed to work actually arduous and lots of people had their palms on him,” Mendoza stated. “For him to be on the big-league stage and now again house in entrance of our fan base, I’m fairly certain it’s going to be emotional for him. He deserves that, and hopefully he enjoys it.”
Mendoza’s job proper now could be to search out enjoying time for Mauricio and fellow heralded prospects Baty and Luisangel Acuña whereas Jeff McNeil swings a scorching bat.
Acuña, who’s getting used as a defensive substitute and pinch runner, usually has been the odd man out of the lineup, together with Tuesday regardless of a pure matchup towards a left-handed pitcher.
“That’s the stability we’re coping with. It’s a very good drawback to have,” Mendoza stated earlier than a pinch-running Acuña scored the game-winning run. “[Acuña] has a task proper now serving to us win a baseball recreation. We’re at all times attempting to placed on the desk, ‘What’s finest for the child? What’s finest for the group?’ Proper now, we really feel like he continues to contribute.”
Mauricio’s switch-hitting presence and pure shortstop fielding abilities have added to his worth — not directly at Acuña’s expense within the infield shuffle.
“I’ve lastly gotten into the rhythm of issues. I’m not all the way in which there, however I really feel I’m beginning to get it a bit of extra,” Mauricio stated. “Now that I’m at this level, it’s as a result of I belong right here.”
Mark Vientos jogged on the sector earlier than the sport and has began hitting within the cages, Mendoza stated.
The third baseman has begun rising exercise with the irritation gone.
Vientos, who suffered a hamstring pressure June 2, “more than likely” would require a rehab project, in keeping with Mendoza.
The Mets positioned Francisco Alvarez on the paternity listing and began Luis Torrens on Tuesday.
Hayden Senger was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse.
When talking a couple of hours earlier than the sport, Mendoza stated Alvarez’s companion had not but given beginning, and so he was undecided when to anticipate Alvarez again.
The Mets introduced again outfielder Travis Jankowski, who signed a minor league deal and can report back to Syracuse.
The veteran performed in 43 video games with the Mets in 2022, usually used as a late-inning defensive substitute by then-manager Buck Showalter.
A Stony Brook product, Jankowski has performed with the White Sox and Rays this season and posted a mixed .244 common and .575 OPS.
Sean Manaea threw 46 pitches over 2 ²/₃ scoreless innings in his second rehab begin with Excessive-A Brooklyn.
The lefty let up two hits, walked one and struck out 4.
