Amed Rosario
AP Photo/Jeff Roberson

New York Mets shortstop Amed Rosario to remain in the leadoff spot even with Jeff McNeil back in the lineup.

When Jeff McNeil hit the injured list with a mild hamstring strain on Wednesday, Aug. 14, the New York Mets had a decision to make. Who would bat in the leadoff spot for the time being? Well, since shortstop Amed Rosario had been hitting well, manager Mickey Callaway decided it would be him.

Rosario in the last 30 games has hit one home run with nine RBIs, 16 runs scored and a .331/.360/.438 slash line. It’s safe to say he’s been an integral aspect of this Mets run that’s put themselves 2.0 games back in the National League Wild Card race. But now that McNeil has returned to the lineup (activated on Saturday), how will the top of the order look? Well, it seems Rosario will stay put in the leadoff spot, with McNeil batting No. 2 in the order.

“I do love the way Rosie has performed in that leadoff hole, we all know he has a lot of success there,” Callaway said this past weekend, per Mike Puma of the New York Post. “McNeil behind him, if [Rosario] gets on first the hole is open for McNeil to hit a ground ball through the right side. If he gets on second, I feel McNeil can pull the ball and move the runner over, so there is a few reasons we like McNeil in that two-hole.”

McNeil was 2-for-2 as a pinch hitter in his first game back from injury on Saturday. The team gave him the start on Sunday for the first time since Tuesday, Aug. 13. McNeil went 0-for-3 in a 2-1 loss to the Atlanta Braves.

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Ryan Honey is a staff writer and host of the Wide Right Podcast.