​NEW YORK — Mark Vientos departed the Mets’ Thursday afternoon game against the Royals after taking a sinker off the right hand from Michael Wacha during his at-bat. Although he stayed in to run the bases briefly, Vientos was removed at the top of the next half-inning, triggering a series of moves in the field that sent A.J. Ewing to second base for the second time in his major league career. Tyrone Taylor entered the game to fill Vientos’ spot in the lineup.
Before the game, Andy Green indicated that Francisco Lindor and Jorge Polanco, who were on a ramp-up from the injured list and receiving scheduled off days, were both available off the bench. The timing of Vientos’ injury, however, could have prompted Green to take a more conservative approach with his lineup.
Vientos started at third base for just the second time this season. At 26 years old, he has largely settled into a platoon role, spending most of his time at first base and as the designated hitter. He is batting .211/.256/.388 with 11 home runs, 35 RBIs and 25 runs scored, while fanning 61 times in 73 games this season.
A.J. Ewing had been seen taking reps at second base prior to Thursday’s action. Although all 49 of Ewing’s starts this season have come in center field, he did log four starts at second base for Double-A Binghamton earlier in the season and 19 appearances at the position across three levels of the minors last year.
Updates on Mark Vientos are expected as more information becomes available following Thursday’s game. This article originated on NorthJersey.com under the headline: Mark Vientos exits Thursday after hit in hand. How does it impact Mets? for SEO purposes.