McNeil is ready for his Mets close-up
PITTSBURGH — Earlier this month, Jeff McNeil wondered when, or if, he would receive his longawaited call-up to the majors. But for at least the next month, the infielder will get a legitimate opportunity to prove he deserves to stay.
Following the trade of Asdrubal Cabrera, McNeil earned his second straight start at second base Saturday night, and manager Mickey Callaway plans to keep penciling him in there going forward.
T.J. Rivera could eventually take his spot, but the injured infielder won’t begin a rehab assignment for at least another week and is not expected to return to the Mets until at least late August.
“I think [McNeil] will be there for a while,” Callaway said on Saturday.
“He did a great job the other day, in my opinion, covering the ball, made a great diving play to his left, so we’re excited that he’s gonna get over there for an extended period of time. ... He brings energy to the position.”
McNeil went 1-for-3 with a walk in his third career start in the Mets’ 5-0 loss, and is now hitting .333 (3-for-9), with four walks in five games.
“Playing second, where I feel a little more comfortable, I’m starting to settle in a little bit,” McNeil said. “Not having to worry too much about fielding, I can worry about hitting.”
Fellow rookie Phillip Evans made his second start of the season at third base, but Callaway said he plans on using a rotation — including Jose Bautista and Jose Reyes — at the position going forward.
Noah Syndergaard rejoined the team in Pittsburgh, and Callaway said the right-hander will “probably” start Wednesday in Washington, after contracting hand, foot and mouth disease.
Todd Frazier (ribs) began a rehab assignment Saturday with Single-A St. Lucie and played five innings, going 1-for-2 with two RBIs and a walk. The third baseman isn’t ex- pected to return to the Mets before next weekend’s home series against Atlanta.
The Mets also hope Jay Bruce (hip) will begin baseball activities Monday.
David Wright continues to rehab in Port St. Lucie, and hasn’t yet suffered a setback since beginning baseball activities one month ago.
Jacob deGrom has now thrown 138 ¹/3 innings, and is on pace to cruise past his season-high of 201 ¹/3 innings, set last season. But Callaway said there are no plans to cap the ace’s workload.
The Mets recalled infielder Luis Guillorme from Triple-A.