NY Mets’ Carlos Mendoza details what Jorge Polanco is facing regarding his recovery path

“It’s hard to tell,” New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza admitted when asked about Jorge Polanco’s timeline for recovery. With Polanco currently sidelined by Achilles tendinitis, a cloud of uncertainty hangs over his return to the active roster.

Two days removed from the initial injury, Polanco attempted to resume baseball activities, but the progress hasn’t been linear. According to Mendoza, the veteran infielder felt encouraged over the last 48 hours before hitting a setback. At this stage, the Mets’ medical staff is in a “wait-and-see” mode, hoping the inflammation in the tendon subsides naturally.

“We are watching it closely and seeing how it goes,” Mendoza noted. While there is no definitive date for his comeback, the Mets are weighing their internal options to bridge the gap over the coming days.

Meanwhile, the Mets’ pitching rotation remains largely unchanged. Mendoza addressed the stability of the staff prior to a frustrating loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks, a game the Mets appeared to have firmly under control through the first six innings before the bullpen unraveled.

Polanco’s perspective on the setback

Echoing Mendoza’s post-game comments following the collapse against Arizona, Polanco spoke with SNY to provide insight into his physical state and the frustrating nature of his recovery.

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“I just have a little pain. I’m doing everything I can,” Polanco said. “It’s not like one specific move feels bad and another feels good. Some days I feel great, and other days the pain just comes back.”

Because he hasn’t been placed on the Injured List (IL) yet, the Mets are forced to play shorthanded. With Polanco unavailable for infield duties and Juan Soto still nursing an injury of his own, the Mets are scouring the roster for reliable production at the corners.

Internal candidates to fill the void

With both Soto and Polanco hampered by injuries, the responsibility falls to Brett Baty and Mark Vientos to fill the void. Although Baty is still acclimating to the nuances of first base, Mendoza has indicated that the young infielder remains a primary option for the upcoming slate of games.