​New York — Mark Vientos is headed to the injured list after suffering a fractured right hand when he was struck by a pitch during the New York Mets’ 7-3 win over the Kansas City Royals. Mets interim manager Andy Green indicated that the exact severity of the injury and whether surgery will be required are still unknown, but an IL placement seems likely as Vientos undergoes further evaluation.
Vientos, making just his second start of the season at third base, was hit by Michael Wacha’s 92 mph fastball in the second inning. He spun and moved into foul territory behind third base before dropping to his knees. Third base coach Tim Leiper rushed to his side as Green and a trainer checked Vientos’ hand. Although he initially remained in the game, Vientos left the field and was replaced at third by Brett Baty at the start of the third inning, with rookie A.J. Ewing moving from center field to second base in his first big-league appearance at the position. Ewing has prior experience at second base, logging 53 minor-league games there.
Vientos’ injury adds another chapter to a season in which he has shown flashes of power but also inconsistency. He is currently slashing .211/.?/.? with 11 home runs and 35 RBIs in 73 games. His performance has led to a platoon role, particularly against left-handed pitching, as the Mets weigh their lineup with the emergence of Jared Young at first base and the team’s strategy to deploy Francisco Alvarez, Francisco Lindor, and Juan Soto at designated hitter on days when they aren’t in the field. The game against Wacha marked Vientos’ first start against a right-handed pitcher since June 29, when he batted seventh and served as the DH against Trey Yesavage and the Toronto Blue Jays.
Green expressed disappointment over Vientos’ current run of misfortune, stating, “I’m just disappointed for what he’s going through right now today.” This upcoming stint on the injured list would be the third time Vientos has spent time on a major league IL, following a left wrist injury in August 2023 and a strained right hamstring in June 2025. The Mets’ outfield and infield alignments continue to evolve, with Tyrone Taylor replacing Ewing in center and delivering a game-tying homer in his first at-bat, sparking a five-run fifth inning that helped secure the victory.
The injury situation adds to the Mets’ ongoing roster decisions as they navigate a season of fluctuating performances and strategic lineup choices. Vientos’ potential IL stint underscores the team’s need to balance youth development with a competitive push, especially as they evaluate the best roles for Alvarez, Lindor, and Soto on days when they don’t participate in the field. As Vientos undergoes evaluation, the Mets will monitor the severity of the fracture, the expected recovery timeline, and how his absence might impact the club’s depth at third base and in the batting order during a critical stretch of the season.