DENVER — For those New York Mets fans who have been wanting to see more of Mark Vientos in the lineup, you're about to get your wish.
Prior to the New York Mets opening a three-game weekend series in Denver against the Colorado Rockies, manager Buck Showalter told reporters outside the Mets clubhouse that Mark Vientos would be getting additional playing time in the coming days.
"I'm planning to play Mark probably the next three days. We'll see how it goes tonight," Showalter said.
Recalled on May 17 from Triple-A Syracuse, Vientos hit a home run that night, marking his first career home run at Citi Field.
Mets to give Mark Vientos more playing time in series vs. Rockies
However, since smacking that home run, playing time and production have both been spotty for the 23-year-old Vientos. He is 2-for-14 on the season and that home run is his lone extra-base hit so far in 2023.
This season, Vientos has seen time at designated hitter (four games), third base (one game), and first base (one game). With the Mets getting a combined minus-0.5 bWAR out of its designated hitter position so far this season (ranking the team 20th out of MLB's 30 squads), Showalter continues to look for answers there, especially with Daniel Vogelbach batting just .136 (3-for-22) with runners in scoring position.
"It's kind of a juggle. You're trying to do what's best for our team and, at the same time, be fair to everybody," Showalter said.
Now that juggle will include a heavy dose of Vientos, who got 41 plate appearances in 16 games last season and also produced just one homer along with a .167/.268/.278 slash line. The Mets will give him a chance to produce over the next three games, including two in Denver where the vast outfield of Coors Field can help hitters immensely. Will it be enough to kickstart Vientos and show he belongs in the lineup more?
