Why Mets have Jorge Polanco at DH for second straight game, Jared Young in starting lineup
Carlos Mendoza explains pregame Monday why Jorge Polanco is DH'ing for the second straight game, and Jared Young slides in at first in his first start of the season.
Monday marks Luis Robert Jr ’s first time out of the Mets ’ lineup this season. The outfielder was one of the teams most productive bats in the season opening series win over the Pirates, but they opted to sit him to open the seven-game roadtrip. With Robert out of the lineup, Carson Benge slides over to make his first start in center and Brett Baty will play right for his first-ever big-league appearance in the outfield.
Jorge Polanco is set to DH for the second straight game as he deals with an Achilles issue that flared up over the weekend, so taking his place at first base is Jared Young . Carlos Mendoza said the team isn’t concerned as Polanco plays through the issue, but they are trying to limit his exposure in the field as they treat it. “We just have to be careful with him, especially this early,” the skipper said.
Mendoza also explained that the team decided to give Young his first start of the season in an effort to load up on their lefty bats with right-hander Kyle Leahy on the mound. “We’re comfortable with him,” he said on Young. “I wanted to get as many left-handed hitters in the lineup as possible.
That’s why Luis understanding he’s going to get an off day in the middle of this stretch here that we’re playing, it made the most sense with Baty in right, Benge in center, and Jared at first. ” While Mark Vientos was passed over this time, Mendoza said pregame Saturday that he expects he’ll make his first start of the season when the Mets face lefty Matthew Liberatore in the series finale on Wednesday. Despite seeing just one at-bat to this point, Mendoza is confident Vientos will be ready when his name is called.