On Sunday, the New York Mets activated Pete Alonso from the 10-day injured list. The corresponding move the franchise made, however, was a head-scratcher for Mets fans.
New York Mets simply aren’t giving Mark Vientos a chance
Here is the official move from the Mets as Alonso returns from a bone bruise and a sprain in his left wrist after being hit by a pitch against the Atlanta Braves.
INF Pete Alonso has been reinstated from the 10-Day IL.
— New York Mets (@Mets) June 18, 2023
INF Mark Vientos has been optioned to Triple-A Syracuse.
While original estimates said Alonso could miss three to four weeks with the injury, the slugger will quickly return to the lineup to try to help a New York Mets team that enters Sunday with a 33-37 record after going 3-7 in its last 10 games. However, Alonso’s return also signaled the end of a stint with the MLB team for Mark Vientos, a promising infielder who was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse on May 17 but has received just 45 at-bats during that time.
Yes, Vientos has not produced as much as the Mets likely hoped, posting a .178/.224/.244 slash line with 14 strikeouts in those 45 at-bats. Those numbers come on the heel of a .167/.268/.278 slash line in 36 at-bats last season. Put all of that together and the 23-year-old Vientos has produced at a .173/.244/.259 clip in a combined 81 at-bats.
The numbers aren’t impressive for sure, but the Mets seem to still be trying to figure out exactly where Vientos fits into the plans … and perhaps how much he does moving forward. Without regular at-bats and without a plan for where Vientos can be used, it seems that he may be a man without a team. Vientos may not get the chance to show the Mets (or any prospective team where he might potentially be traded) what he can do against Major League pitching.
Dealing with prospects and young players is often a delicate balancing act, but it certainly feels like that, while Mets fans can celebrate the return of Alonso, they can also be wondering exactly what’s next for Vientos.