The New York Mets are waiting on Jeff McNeil’s MRI after the slugger pulled up lame in the ninth inning of Tuesday’s game.
The New York Mets can’t afford to lose anyone during this crowded National League Wild Card race. Unfortunately, Jeff McNeil is set to have an MRI in Atlanta after Tuesday’s game, according to SNY’s Andy Martino.
“Doesn’t feel great. I don’t think it’s too terrible. We have no timeline,” McNeil said via Matt Ehalt of Yahoo Sports. “See how it feels in the morning.
“Felt a little snag. Hopefully it’s not bad. Maybe just a cramp I felt. We’ll see.”
McNeil has been a revelation for the Mets this year. His defensive versatility has given manager Mickey Callaway the option to move him around the field as he juggles the lineup.
However, McNeil is much more than a utility man in the field. He’s currently slashing .332/.400/.529 with 15 home runs and 55 RBIs. Although batting average is a vanity stat, the 27-year-old has a realistic shot at winning the NL batting title.
Entering Wednesday, McNeil was third in the NL in average, trailing only Christian Yelich (.333) of the Milwaukee Brewers and Bryan Reynolds (.338) of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Batting average aside, McNeil has been invaluable for the Metsies this season as a leadoff hitter. In 81 plate appearances as the first Mets batter of the game, McNeil is slashing .364/.395/.597 with three home runs.
His willingness to attack first-pitch strikes has been his bread-and-butter, but that could backfire as pitchers learn to adapt to McNeil’s aggressive nature.
