New York Mets third baseman Brett Baty left Tuesday’s game early with “left hamstring tightness”, per the Mets. Baty appeared to limp slightly after trying to beat out a ground ball in the sixth inning. Joey Wendle appeared at third base in Baty’s place in the top of the seventh.
Brett Baty left today's game due to left hamstring tightness, the Mets say.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) April 17, 2024
Brett Baty Leaves Game Early With Hamstring Tightness
While the severity of the ailment is unknown, Baty should have two days to rest and recover. It makes little sense to roll him out there for Wednesday’s afternoon game, especially with a lefty starter. Additionally, the Mets have Thursday off before they start a weekend West Coast road trip.
The Mets will likely use the next two days to evaluate the initial injury and see how Baty recovers. The Mets could place Baty on the injured list if the hamstring does not progress. At that point, Mark Vientos, who had a monster day at the plate in Triple-A on Tuesday, will likely get the call-up.
Overall, this season, New York’s offense is in the middle of the pack. Its 105 wRC+ is just above league-average production and is the 13th-best in the league. However, the Mets’ awfully slow start brings the overall offense production down quite a bit.
"I think Brett has done a really nice job of solidifying third base"
– David Stearns on Brett Baty pic.twitter.com/pCxbfY7TPP
— SNY (@SNYtv) April 16, 2024
Since April 5 (the team’s sixth game), New York’s 130 wRC+ ranks tied for second in baseball. Baty has played a big role in that. In 16 games, the former first-round pick is hitting .316/.371/.386 with 9 RBI. His 118 wRC+ ranks sixth-best among MLB third basemen. This represents a stark difference from 2023, when the Mets received the worst offensive production, per wRC+, from third base.
Even when the Mets started 0-5, Baty’s performance represented a silver lining to hold on to. A hamstring injury for Baty would be a harsh development in what began as a great start to the year. Baty struggled mightily last season, but his 2024 revival has significantly lengthened the Mets lineup.
Main Photo Credits: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
