The free-falling Mets appear to be bracing for the worst when it comes to third baseman Brett Baty.
Baty was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday, a day after exiting a costly 6-2 loss to the Marlins with a right oblique injury.
In a corresponding move, New York recalled outfielder Jared Young from Triple-A Syracuse.
What is Brett Batyâs Injury?
Baty appeared to tweak his right side after swinging through a pitch from Sandy Alcantara during the first inning Friday. Although Baty briefly stayed in the game, the 25-year-old experienced more discomfort while throwing out Liam Hicks on a ground ball to end the bottom half of the inning. Baty was then replaced by Ronny Mauricio in the second inning.
The Mets did not provide an immediate update on Batyâs condition, though Mendoza acknowledged postgame the possibility of him missing the rest of the season.
âItâs too early, but just watching the faces he was making, that (oblique) area right there is tricky,â Mendoza said, via MLB.com. âWeâve got to wait until tomorrow.â
The Mets and Reds are tied for the final NL wild card at 82-78, though Cincinnati holds the head-to-head tiebreaker with two games remaining.
Baty is slated to undergo an MRI to determine the severity of his injury. Whether heâd be available for the playoffs â should the Mets qualify â will be based on those results.
How Does Brett Batyâs Injury Impact the Mets?
After batting just .222 in April, Baty has become one of the Metsâ most consistent hitters. Heâll conclude the season slashing .254/.313/.435 with 18 home runs and 50 RBI over a career-high 393 at-bats (130 games).
Baty slugged a key three-run homer off Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga in Thursdayâs 8-5 win and finished September with a .775 OPS.
Mauricio was back in lineup Saturday, hitting eighth against Eury Perez. Mauricio has just one hit in seven at-bats this month and is 7-for-40 (.175) with one RBI since the start of August.
Mark Vientos and Luisangel Acuna also could see time at third, though Baty has been the Metsâ steadiest option.
Mets Call Up Highly Ranked Relief Prospect
The Mets also called up pitcher Dylan Ross from Triple-A on Saturday. To make room for him, pitcher Kevin Herget was designated for assignment.
Drafted in the 13th round in 2022 out of Georgia, the 25-year-old Ross has pitched at three different levels in the minors this season, posting a 2.17 ERA and seven saves with 80 strikeouts in 54 innings.
Ross, whose fastball averages 96.8 mph and tops out at triple digits, is the Metsâ 20th-ranked prospect, per MLB Pipeline.
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