Luisangel Acuna Mets

Jun 5, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; New York Mets second baseman Luisangel Acuna (2) fields a ground ball during the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images

QUEENS, NY — The New York Mets optioned infielder Luisangel Acuna to Triple-A Syracuse prior to Monday’s four-game series opener against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field. 

It was just one of a flurry of roster moves, as the Mets also optioned right-handed pitcher Tyler Zuber to Triple-A. Left-handed reliever Dicky Lovelady was signed to a one-year contract and is available immediately. 

Lovelady, 29, has appeared across six different MLB seasons with the Kansas City Royals, Athletics, Chicago Cubs, and Tampa Bay Rays before joining the Toronto Blue Jays this season. In two appearances (1.2 innings pitched), he allowed four runs on two hits with three strikeouts and two walks. 

Veteran outfielder Travis Jankowski, who reunited with the Mets earlier this month on a minor-league deal, also had his contract selected to the MLB roster. 

New York had also sent down struggling catcher Francisco Alvarez to Triple-A on Sunday.

Acuna had fallen out of the infield rotation in recent weeks, amidst struggles and the return of Ronny Mauricio. Batting .313 through his first 29 games of the season, the 23-year-old was slashing a paltry .154/.191/.154 (.345 OPS) with two RBI in his last 65 at-bats, prompting manager Carlos Mendoza to mostly use him as a pinch-runner or late-inning defensive replacement. 

That role will now fall to Jankowski for the time being. 

Acuna’s demotion initially suggests that third baseman Mark Vientos was ready to return to the big-league club after suffering a hamstring strain on June 3, but his absence in the Mets’ roster moves suggests that he needs a bit more time to find his bearings before returning to Queens. 

Following his breakout 27-home-run season last year, Vientos had been struggling in 2025, batting .230 with six home runs and 21 RBI in 53 games. 

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