Alonso (wrist) makes lightning-quick return to Mets
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NEW YORK -- Pete Alonso was given a recovery timetable of three to four weeks after he was hit on the left wrist by a pitch on June 7 against the Braves, suffering a bone bruise and spraining the joint. Suffice to say, Alonso has beaten that prognosis.
Just 11 days later, the Mets announced on Sunday that Alonso had been activated from the injured list. Alonso was in the lineup against the Cardinals in his customary spots, batting cleanup and playing first base. Infielder Mark Vientos was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse in a corresponding move.
Alonso says he is "full go," meaning there are no physical limitations to his game.
He attributed the quick recovery to his wrist responding well to treatment. Alonso started to feel he could come back five to six days after being placed on the IL. There wasn’t additional swelling every time he hit in the batting cage.
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“I was able to do everything freely without any pain,” Alonso said. “Then I just had to wait and wait for my time to expire on the IL. I’m in the lineup again. I’m excited. … I feel excellent. I'm 100 percent on everything. If I’m at 100 percent, why wait?”
Despite missing time, Alonso still ranks first in the National League with 22 home runs and is one behind Atlanta's Matt Olson for the lead in RBIs with 49.
Vientos, who homered in his first game after being called up to the Mets this season, hit .178/.224/.244 in 45 at-bats. Before his promotion, he hit .333/.416/.688 with 13 homers for Syracuse.
Manager Buck Showalter said Vientos needed consistent at-bats in the Minor Leagues. At this point, Vientos wasn’t going to get playing time in the big leagues, because the Mets weren't expected to face many left-handers in the coming days. In the three-game series against the Astros, for example, New York isn't expected to see any left-handed starters. Vientos' continued development at first and third base was also a factor in the move.
“At some point, the waters may part and he may get to play every day at some position,” Showalter said. “I like Mark. He seems more focused on things. He has shown the ability to hit the ball hard just like a lot of guys. He has a chance to be a good hitter and I think he has started to make some strides defensively. I think we will see him again.”