Apr 5, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; New York Mets designated hitter Jorge Polanco (11) stands in the on deck during the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Mets first baseman/designated hitter Jorge Polanco began a rehab assignment on Wednesday with Double-A Binghamton, lining a single in his first minor-league at-bat.
The 32-year-old career middle infielder, who signed a two-year, $40 million pact to join the Mets as a Pete Alonso replacement, has been out since April 14 because of Achilles bursitis and a wrist injury, though it has been the ankle that has caused most of the issues during this absence.
Polanco’s Achilles is not expected to fully heal this season, meaning that even when he does make his way back to the big leagues, the majority of his reps will come as a DH.
“The way we see it, it’s going to be a lot of DH,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “Hopefully, we can get him a game or two at first base, but try to keep him off his feet as much as possible. He’ll play some first base once he starts going through his rehab assignment, but probably looking more like DH and try to keep his bat in the lineup as much as possible.”
Whether his return actually provides a boost to an anemic lineup remains to be seen. He was batting just .179 with a home run and two RBI across his first 14 games with the Mets before getting injured.
It also creates a bit of a log jam at the DH spot, as the Mendoza has been utilizing it to give Juan Soto some rest days after he overcame a calf strain that sidelined him for 15 games last month. That could very well be the plan for Francisco Lindor, too, when he gets back from his more significant calf strain, whenever that might be.
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