MIAMI — In need of a spark amid a skid that has cost them their lead in the NL East, the Mets on Saturday called up infielder Mark Vientos, their No. 7 prospect. He is scheduled to make his first Major League start in Sunday’s series finale against the Marlins.
The move comes as the silver lining to the placement of outfielder Starling Marte on the 10-day injured list with a non-displaced fracture of his right middle finger. Marte, an All-Star this season, was hit in the hand by a 96 mph fastball from Mitch Keller in Pittsburgh on Tuesday. His placement on the injured list is retroactive to Wednesday, so the earliest he can return is Sept. 17. In the three days since he was injured, Marte has not been able to participate in baseball activities.
Vientos, 22, slashed .280/.358/.519 with 24 homers, 16 doubles and 72 RBIs in 101 games with Triple-A Syracuse this year. Defensively, Vientos has split time between third base and first base for Syracuse. Vientos was available off the bench on Saturday against the Marlins at loanDepot park.
But even with Marte out for at least the next week, it’s not a foregone conclusion that Vientos will remain in the Majors over that stretch. Infielder Luis Guillorme (left groin strain) is nearing a return from his rehab assignment at Syracuse. Guillorme’s contributions have been one of many positive developments for the Mets this season, as he’s hit .283 over 86 games while providing key defense in the infield.
“I’m committed to him helping us win, hopefully,” manager Buck Showalter said on Saturday. “That type of stuff seems to take care of itself. So no, I’m not in a position to make any commitment to stuff like [Vientos staying up for a prolonged period].”
For Vientos, whom the Mets selected in the second round of the 2017 MLB Draft, the key will be translating his Triple-A production (especially those RBIs) to the Major League level. Showalter is likely to slot Vientos into a corner-infield role, though the top prospect also has experience as a designated hitter.
“Good-looking hitter,” Showalter said, “and [he] has made improvements defensively. Driven in a lot of runs — I like that. That’s a lot of runs to drive in in a Minor League season. … I’m glad he’s one of us and hopefully he can help us.”