When is the right time for Mets to call up Ronny Mauricio -- and where does he fit?

As the Mets have been in an offensive rut -- they've mustered just 42 runs over their last 14 games, which is an average of exactly three runs per contest -- a possible partial solution to their woes has been hitting lasers in Triple-A Syracuse.

Since joining Syracuse following brief stints with A-ball St. Lucie and Double-A Binghamton, as he continues to get his legs under him after not playing in games since late 2023 due to an ACL injury, Ronny Mauricio is putting up video game numbers.

In 29 plate appearances over seven games for Syracuse, Mauricio is slashing a cartoonish .560/.586/.960. He has three homers and a double, has driven in seven runs, and has swiped three bags.

On Thursday night, Mauricio had a pair of hits, including a mammoth homer to right field.

But there's a good reason why Mauricio isn't on his way to Citi Field just yet.

His recovery from ACL surgery, which he had in December of 2023 after suffering the injury playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic, was bumpy.

Mauricio's game action a few weeks ago with St. Lucie was his first time back on the field in a competitive fashion in roughly a year and a half. So the Mets are smartly taking things slowly with him as he builds up his reps and stamina.

Since joining Syracuse, Mauricio has been given regular days off. He has played on back-to-back days three times, but has yet to play three days in a row. So the progression is ongoing.

"He's doing a great job," Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns told reporters on Friday at Citi Field. "Number one is health and getting him back and building up the volume. We're continuing to do that. But any time you see players consistently hitting lasers all over the field -- which is what he's doing right now in Triple-A -- you pay attention. So we're paying attention, and we'll continue to monitor that and see where it goes."

Once Mauricio is deemed ready physically, though, the Mets will have a choice to make. The 24-year-old is an exciting, toolsy player with high upside who has already flashed impressive exit velocities in the majors and whose power potential is real. He also has the ability to play multiple positions.

Where could he fit in New York, where his natural shortstop position is taken by Francisco Lindor?

About a month ago, the easy answer might have been third base, since Jesse Winker is out -- opening the designated hitter spot for Mark Vientos. But the version of Brett Baty who returned following a stint in Syracuse earlier this season is one who looks more confident than ever. And the results (especially power-wise) have been there, which means he'll likely get -- and is deserving of -- an extended look at third base.

Another option for Mauricio is second base, but it's already crowded. Baty is getting starts there when Vientos is at third base instead of DH, and Jeff McNeil is getting lots of playing time at second as well. Meanwhile, McNeil has been impactful offensively, getting on base at a .363 clip while posting an .809 OPS.

The presence of Luisangel Acuña also complicates things a bit, though his playing time has been shrinking recently -- something manager Carlos Mendoza said the youngster is equipped to handle.

What about DH for Mauricio?

In a world where Baty and Vientos are both getting lots of burn at third base and DH, with McNeil slotting in regularly at second base, it could make sense to use the switch-hitting Mauricio at third base or DH against tougher left-handers (with Baty sitting). But is that enough playing time for someone who needs all the reps he can get?

Another alignment could have Vientos at DH, Baty at third base, Mauricio at second base, and McNeil in center field -- a spot he's started at six times this season.

The above would be easy enough, but would mean all-world defender Tyrone Taylor being on the bench.

All of this is to say that there are a lot of things for the Mets to consider as Mauricio keeps working toward a big league return. And if the Mets continue to scuffle offensively and Mauricio stays hot, it would behoove them to find a way to get his bat in the lineup one way or another.