Mets' Jorge Polanco begins rehab assignment in Double-A | amNewYork

Jorge Polanco started a rehab assignment with Double-A Binghamton, recording a single in his first minor-league at-bat. The 32-year-old infielder has been out since April 14 due to Achilles bursitis and a wrist injury, with ankle problems driving most of the absence. His Achilles is not expected to fully heal this season, so his return to the majors is expected to feature mostly designated-hitter appearances. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza expects Polanco to be kept off his feet, with occasional first-base work during rehab progression. Polanco’s return may not immediately improve an anemic Mets lineup, as he hit .179 with one home run and two RBI in his first 14 games. The DH role is also crowded as Juan Soto receives rest days there after a recent calf strain, and Francisco Lindor could face similar DH usage after a more significant calf injury.

"Mets first baseman/designated hitter Jorge Polanco began a rehab assignment on Wednesday with Double-A Binghamton, lining a single in his first minor-league at-bat. The 32-year-old career middle infielder, who signed a two-year, $40 million pact to join the Mets as a Pete Alonso replacement, has been out since April 14 because of Achilles bursitis and a wrist injury, though it has been the ankle that has caused most of the issues during this absence."

"Polanco's Achilles is not expected to fully heal this season, meaning that even when he does make his way back to the big leagues, the majority of his reps will come as a DH. The way we see it, it's going to be a lot of DH, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. Hopefully, we can get him a game or two at first base, but try to keep him off his feet as much as possible."

"He'll play some first base once he starts going through his rehab assignment, but probably looking more like DH and try to keep his bat in the lineup as much as possible. Whether his return actually provides a boost to an anemic lineup remains to be seen. He was batting just .179 with a home run and two RBI across his first 14 games with the Mets before getting injured."

"It also creates a bit of a log jam at the DH spot, as the Mendoza has been utilizing it to give Juan Soto some rest days after he overcame a calf strain that sidelined him for 15 games last month. That could very well be the plan for Francisco Lindor, too, when he gets back from his more significant calf strain, whenever that might be."

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