Jeff McNeil injury: Mets lose strong second baseman for the rest of the 2024 regular season due to broken wrist

The New York Mets have lost one of their best hitters for the rest of the season. Second baseman Jeff McNeil will likely miss the rest of the year with a broken wrist, manager Carlos Mendoza announced Saturday. McNeil sustained the injury when he was hit by a pitch in Friday's walk-off win over the Cincinnati Reds (NYM 6, CIN 4 in 10 innings). He was officially placed on the IL on Sunday and outfielder DJ Stewart was promoted from Triple-A to take his place on the roster.

“Not good. The MRI this morning showed a broken wrist, so he's probably out for the year.” Mendoza said Saturday when asked for an update on McNeil. McNeil told reporters, including the New York Post, that he had a “really small fracture” and could return if the Mets play deep into the postseason.

McNeil was hit by the pitch, a 74 mph fast breaking ball, as he was reaching to bunt in the fourth inning on Friday. He stayed in the game to run the bases and play defense, but was taken out of the game when his spot in the batting order came up again in the seventh inning. Here's the injury:

Although his batting average this season is underwhelming at .238/.307/.384, McNeil has been one of New York's best hitters in the second half of play, hitting .289/.376/.547 with seven of his 12 home runs since the All-Star break. A few weeks ago he said he stopped directing the ball for base hitsand now focuses only on hard contact. This led to his winning streak.

McNeil is primarily a second baseman, although he has played left and right field this year, so the Mets are losing that versatility. Jose Iglesias has been a pleasant surprise all year and will now likely step in as the full-time second baseman.

Saturday's win was New York's ninth straight. The Mets now hold sole possession of the third and final wild-card spot in the National League, with the Atlanta Braves one game back. The season series is tied 5-5 and the two teams will play three games at Truist Park from Sept. 24-26, the penultimate series of the regular season.