The New York Mets clinched a series win on Thursday afternoon with a 7-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals.
Despite the positive result, the team was dealt a setback after the game. Just as the Mets appeared to have a fully healthy roster for the first time this season, interim manager Andy Green revealed discouraging news regarding infielder Mark Vientos, who was forced to leave the contest in the second inning after being hit on the hand by a pitch.
Green revealed that Vientos suffered a fractured hand, and the Mets will place him on the injured list. He added that the team is still evaluating the injury and does not yet have a timetable for his return.
“He has a fracture,” Green said. “Probably shouldn’t get into the details because I haven’t gotten all of them. It’s going to be an IL placement, but it’s still being evaluated right now.”
When asked whether surgery was a possibility, which could extend Vientos’ recovery timeline, Green said he did not have an answer.
“I don’t have the answer to that right now.”
Vientos’ 2026 Campaign
Vientos is in his fifth season with the Mets and, while he hasn’t produced at the level many expected, he’s batting .211 with 11 home runs and 35 RBIs across 237 at-bats.
The best season of his young MLB career came in 2024, when he batted .266 with 110 hits, 27 home runs, and 71 RBIs in just 111 games.
Fortunately for the Mets, the timing of Vientos’ injury isn’t as brutal as it could have been. Francisco Lindor and Jorge Polanco have both recently returned from injuries, giving New York much-needed infield depth and flexibility. Vientos primarily split his time between first and third base.
Jared Young will likely take on a larger role at first base, while Lindor, Polanco, Bo Bichette, Brett Baty, and A.J. Ewing will all be more than capable of holding down the infield when called upon.
