Mets manager Carlos Mendoza provided a number of injury updated prior to Monday's game in Minnesota...
Ronny Mauricio
It's been a long road to recovery for Ronny Mauricio, but he's set to take a big step this week.
The young infielder will be back in game action for the first time on Tuesday afternoon, as he slots in as the designated hitter in the Florida Complex League at extended spring training.
Mauricio was initially sidelined due to a torn ACL he suffered while playing in Winter Ball last offseason, and while working his way back, he was forced to undergo a second procedure to remove scar tissue. Shortly after, he dealt with inflammation that stalled his recovery.
Since then, it's been smooth sailing for the 24-year-old. The Mets opted to not rush him back into action during spring training, but now he appears ready to take the next step.
"The fact that he's now in game action is certainly a good sign," Mendoza said. "We just want him to get at-bats in extended -- hopefully we'll get him some reps in the field and we'll see how it goes from there."
Jeff McNeil
McNeil has been feeling good over the first few days of his rehab assignment.
The slap-hitting infielder played a pair of games with Single-A St. Lucie late last week and looked strong at the plate and in the field, going 2-for-5 while also drawing a walk and scoring a run.
He has Monday off and will return to action tomorrow night with St. Lucie.
From there, McNeil will go to Triple-A Syracuse as he continues working his way back to the big league club. But Mendoza says he still has to get more at-bats before they are ready for him to return as their primary second baseman.
"He's feeling good but those are tricky injuries, with the oblique," he said.
With both Luisangel Acuña and Brett Baty struggling at the plate early on this season, getting McNeil back into the mix would certainly be a nice boost on both sides of the ball.
