The New York Mets have activated right fielder Jeff McNeil from the injured list, designate outfielder Aaron Altherr for assignment.
The Squirrel is back. After a 10-day stint on the injured list due to a mild hamstring strain, the New York Mets have reportedly activated right fielder and leadoff hitter Jeff McNeil.
McNeil will be active for the Mets’ Saturday night contest against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field. Entering Saturday, McNeil is tied for second in the majors in batting average and leading the National League.
Update: Jeff McNeil WILL be active tonight.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) August 24, 2019
Shortstop Amed Rosario had been batting leadoff in McNeil’s spot. As far as in the field, the Mets moved Michael Conforto from center field to right. Juan Lagares had been starting in center.
Thus far in 2019, McNeil has 15 home runs with 55 RBIs and a slash line of .332/.400/.529. He’s solidified himself as one of the best hitters in the majors, and it’s great for the Mets that he’s now active. The Mets are looking to make a surge into the postseason and it’ll be beneficial to have McNeil in the lineup for the first time since Tuesday, Aug. 13.
New York also designated Aaron Altherr for assignment. The veteran outfielder struggled much of the year for the Mets. He hit one home run with two RBIs and a slash line of .129/.200/.258 in 26 games.
The Mets are 67-61 at the moment. They lost Friday night in a 14-inning battle with the Braves by a score of 2-1. The defeat ended their previous five-game win streak, in which they topped the Kansas City Royals twice and swept the Cleveland Indians in three games.
New York has their Saturday and Sunday games to finish out the three-game series against the Braves. After that, they’ll take on the Chicago Cubs in another three-game series starting on Tuesday to end the nine-game homestand.
