Juan Soto is watching as more of his New York Mets teammates go down with injuries — some sidelined for extended periods, even the rest of the season. This time, it’s one of the club’s designated hitters, as manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed.
The player in question is Jesse Winker, who has been ruled out for a significant stretch. “Grade 2 oblique strain — they’re telling us that it’s probably six to eight weeks,” Mendoza said. The manager acknowledged it’s a tough break: “They’re tricky, obliques. We’ll feel it.”
Winker hadn’t appeared in as many games as Soto this season, but he had been serving primarily as the team’s designated hitter. So far, he was batting .239 with 10 RBIs and had helped contribute to the Mets’ strong start to the year.
Who will replace Winker in the lineup?
Carlos Mendoza indicated he already has a rough idea of how the team will rotate through the DH spot while Winker is sidelined. One new addition is Brett Baty, who could help the Mets adjust and fill the gap left by the injured veteran.
The last time Soto and Winker shared the field was on May 4, when Winker delivered a sacrifice fly that allowed Soto to score, giving the Mets a 2–1 lead against the Cardinals. They eventually lost that game, 6–5.
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Mets still looking strong
Despite the loss of Winker — and others, including Minter and Young, who Mendoza also confirmed are out for the remainder of the season — the Mets continue to look solid. At 22–13, their record remains impressive, fueled in large part by strong pitching. The team currently boasts a 2.87 ERA across both starters and bullpen arms.