McNeil left Friday’s game after he was hit on the wrist in the fifth inning, and further tests on Saturday revealed that the 32-year-old lefty will most likely be sidelined for the rest of the season due to a fractured wrist. His recovery time is 4-to-6 weeks, so there is a chance he could return in the postseason if the Mets make a deep run into October, but most likely he won’t be back on the field until 2025.
Impressively, McNeil initially remained in the game after being hit. He was squaring around to bunt in the fifth inning and pulled his bat back as a curveball from Brandon Williamson hit him on the wrist. A trainer checked McNeil, but he remained in the game at that point, even completing a double play the following inning. Before his next at-bat, the injury had swollen, so Harrison Bader replaced him when his turn came up in the lineup in the bottom of the sixth inning.
McNeil will finish the season with a .238 batting average, his lowest total since reaching the majors in 2018. He did hit 12 homers, though, the second-highest mark of his career, while posting a .303 wOBA. McNeil had been much better in the second half of the season and offered very nice defensive flexibility for the Mets, playing both the infield and outfield and starting mainly against right-handed pitchers.
On Saturday, the Mets face the Reds as they look for their ninth straight win. They’ll start Jose Quintana ($6,900) against Jakob Junis ($6,700) and are -162 on the moneyline. Without McNeil, Jose Iglesias ($3,800) will start at 2B with Jesse Winker ($3,500) and Harrison Bader ($3,300) joining Brandon Nimmo ($4,600) in the outfield.
The Mets start the day in a tie with the Braves for the final NL Wild Card spot and are -110 to make the playoffs.
All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
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