The Mets have placed Jorge Polanco on the IL with left ankle bursitis. The first baseman/DH will undergo surgery and is done for the season, according to Andy Green. The team’s skipper noted that Polanco “can’t get freedom from the pain”, which he has been playing through.
The team signed Polanco to a two-year, $40 million to serve as the first baseman, but injuries have derailed his season. He originally landed on the IL amid the team’s 12-game losing streak in April with a right wrist contusion,
and the bursitis he experienced plagued him throughout the year, leading to his rehab assignment being temporarily shut down in June. He eventually returned on July 7 but was a shell of a hitter the team expected. Prior to his injury, he was hitting .179/.246.286 with one homer and a 51 wRC+ in 61 plate appearances across 14 games. Those numbers were worse since his return, as he hit .123/.169/.190 with one homer and a -1 wRC+ in 84 plate appearances across 23 games. During the latter stretch, he endured a career-worst 0-for-26 stretch. Polanco has one more year left on his contract, though it remains to be seen what role he will play with the club.
The Mets made a couple of additional roster moves around Polanco’s IL placement. To replace his bat, the team called up Eric Wagaman. They also sent down Jack Weisenburger, who pitched in last night’s game, and called up right-handed reliever Chayce McDermott to join the bullpen.
