{"id":668950,"date":"2026-04-07T19:13:33","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T19:13:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/668950\/"},"modified":"2026-04-07T19:13:33","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T19:13:33","slug":"why-the-mets-opted-to-call-up-ronny-mauricio","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/668950\/","title":{"rendered":"Why the Mets Opted to Call Up Ronny Mauricio"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ronny Mauricio\u2019s role with the New York Mets<\/a> may be limited, but that doesn\u2019t mean it isn\u2019t important.<\/p>\n

On Monday, the Mets recalled the switch-hitting infielder from Triple-A Syracuse after placing outfielder Juan Soto on the 15-day injured list with a right calf strain. A typical return-to-play timeline for Soto\u2019s injury is approximately two to three weeks, so New York will likely be without its starting left fielder for more than the minimum 15 days.<\/p>\n

New York has relied on multiple players, including Tyrone Taylor and utilityman Brett Baty, to man left field in Soto\u2019s absence. But with a thumb issue pushing Baty to the bench and starting first baseman Jorge Polanco dealing with Achilles tendinitis, the Mets needed more than just outfield help.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith Baty and Polanco dealing with minor things here, we thought it was best to bring Mauricio to protect us for the versatility, especially in the infield,\u201d Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said<\/a> Tuesday. \u201cEven though his name is not gonna be in the starting lineup, he\u2019s got a pretty important role\u2014coming off the bench, lefty bat, the versatility defensively, pinch-running if we need to.”<\/p>\n

Carlos Mendoza says the Mets opted to bring Ronny Mauricio up due to Jorge Polanco and Brett Baty being a little banged up<\/p>\n

Mendoza told Mauricio the playing time will be limited, but he will still play a key role pic.twitter.com\/tFC5GOmGDx<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) April 7, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Mauricio, 25, slashed .226\/.293\/.369 across 61 games for the Mets last season after missing all of 2024 while recovering from multiple knee surgeries. The former top prospect saw extensive action at third base but received only 20 at-bats over the final six weeks, a problem the club hoped to avoid in 2026.<\/p>\n

This spring, Mauricio mainly played shortstop while Francisco Lindor rehabbed from hamate bone surgery in his left hand. He produced a .313\/.389\/.531 slash line with one home run and five RBIs in 13 Grapefruit League games, but once Lindor returned, Mauricio\u2019s path to consistent big league playing time vanished. With everyday reps in mind, the Mets optioned him to Triple-A to begin the season.<\/p>\n

An RBI double for Ronny Mauricio! pic.twitter.com\/uJxuulmyzr<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 SNY (@SNYtv) March 10, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Before his latest call-up, Mauricio was hitting .273\/.294\/.394 with one home run, three RBIs and three stolen bases through eight games with Syracuse. He split time defensively between shortstop, third base and second base, but has also played left field in the past, bringing much-needed versatility to New York.<\/p>\n

Even though he may not get everyday reps, Mendoza said he does not plan to have Mauricio sit on the bench for extended periods as he did last year. The Mets\u2019 skipper added that things could change in the next few days and emphasized that Mauricio needs to stay ready, because it could happen quickly.<\/p>\n

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