CHICAGO — Jorge Polanco’s ankle by all accounts was feeling better Friday, but the Mets have a new concern with the veteran slugger.
Bothered by right wrist soreness, Polanco underwent an MRI exam, the results of which were still under evaluation before the Mets lost 12-4 to the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
Polanco didn’t play for a second straight game. He was also inactive on Wednesday, but that was due to the Achilles bursitis in his right ankle, which has been an issue for almost three weeks.
“We’re waiting to see what we’re dealing with now with the wrist,” manager Carlos Mendoza said, noting there was a chance Polanco would be placed on the injured list.
With Polanco sidelined, Mendoza went with Tyrone Taylor (a right-handed bat) against right-hander Edward Cabrera. Two other lefty hitters, Juan Soto and Jared Young, are on the injured list.
“You don’t have that balance, especially from the left side,” Mendoza said.
If Polanco is placed on the IL, it’s possible the team will recall Ronny Mauricio from Triple-A Syracuse. Mauricio is a switch-hitter.
Mendoza juggled the lineup, moving Carson Benge into the leadoff spot and sliding Francisco Lindor to third. Benge went 1-for-4 with a single. Lindor went 2-for-4 with a double and a single.
“With a lot of our left-handed hitters missing from the lineup, we’re just trying to space them out,” Mendoza said. “I just thought with Benge’s skill set, the way he’s putting together some at-bats of late, we’re trying to create some traffic for Francisco.”
Soto was scheduled to receive additional at-bats at Citi Field on Friday and run with high intensity during his rehab from a right calf strain.
Mendoza said it was unclear if Soto will receive another MRI exam before the team decides on activating him from the IL. The Mets are expecting Soto back in the lineup during the next homestand.
MJ Melendez produced two hits in a second straight start. On this day, he reached base three times.
Kodai Senga (who lasted just 3¹/₃ innings) threw only 65 pitches, the second fewest of his career in a start. Senga threw 59 pitches in a start at Boston on July 21, 2023, also lasting 3 ¹/₃ innings.
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