MLB

Mets shut down Jeff McNeil from hitting with bicep issue

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Published March 2, 2024, 1:37 p.m. ET

JUPITER, Fla. — Carlos Mendoza handled about three minutes’ worth of injury questions before the Mets manager could speak about other subjects Saturday.

None of the newly revealed pains appear serious at the moment, but the Mets are banged up in the early weeks of spring.

The most notable injury belongs to Jeff McNeil, who experienced left bicep soreness Thursday.

Mets' Jeff McNeil throws during a spring training baseball workout.
Mets’ Jeff McNeil throws during a spring training baseball workout. AP

The Mets’ second baseman was hitting in the cage and “felt something,” Mendoza said.

McNeil has been shut down from hitting for a couple of days.

“We don’t think it’s anything serious,” Mendoza said of McNeil, who has yet to appear in a Grapefruit League game.

McNeil, who rehabbed a partially torn UCL in his left elbow this offseason, is still doing fielding drills. The Mets are off Monday and plan to see how McNeil feels afterward. At this point, no tests have been scheduled.

Backup infielder Joey Wendle also has yet to play in exhibition games after sustaining right shoulder soreness early in camp, Mendoza said. Wendle, signed to a one-year, $2 million deal this offseason, was shut down from throwing for a few days and has been building back up, throwing up to 120 feet Friday.

“Everything is progressing well,” Mendoza said before the Mets lost to the Marlins, 4-1, at Roger Dean Stadium. “I think the goal is to have him in games at some point next week.”

Shintaro Fujinami throws a bullpen session at Spring Training on Friday, Feb. 23.
Shintaro Fujinami throws a bullpen session earlier during spring training. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

In better news for the Mets, reliever Shintaro Fujinami reported to camp after leaving for Japan to attend to a personal issue and obtain a work visa.

The belief is Fujinami still will be ready by Opening Day, and he said he should debut in the Grapefruit League soon.

“I’m very happy that I’m officially a Met now and I can do everything with no problem right now,” Fujinami said through interpreter Issei Kamada. “It’s been hectic weeks, a lot of stuff going on, but I’ve been working out and I feel really good.”

The righty, who owns triple-digits heat and a nasty splitter, did not pan out as a starter with the A’s last season but showed great stuff — but still little control — when converted to the bullpen with the Orioles.

The Mets added Fujinami, a high-upside flier, on a one-year, $3.35 million deal this offseason.

Brandon Nimmo, who has been building up slowly during camp, is expected to debut in the Grapefruit League in Sunday’s game against the Astros at Clover Park.

After throwing his first two innings of the spring Friday, Luis Severino “felt great” a day later, Mendoza said. “That’s a positive sign. Another good step in the right direction.”