By Sunday 
One step forward, two groins back?
The New York Mets can’t seem to catch a break, even when it looks like they just did.
Brett Baty, the Mets’ promising third baseman, finally showed a glimpse of the bat they’ve been waiting on. On Sunday, he launched a home run—his first since May 10—off the Padres’ Randy Vásquez. It was the kind of swing that should’ve lifted spirits in the Mets dugout.
But then came the twist.
Groin Tightness Strikes Again
Baty exited the game just two innings later with what the Mets called left groin tightness. Suddenly, the good vibes were out the window. As much as fans wanted to celebrate the dinger, all eyes quickly turned to his health status.
This isn’t Baty’s first brush with the injury bug this season. He already missed some time earlier in the year with a similar issue. And the Mets’ infield, which has been trying to find a rhythm all year, can hardly afford another disruption.
A Lineup Already in Flux
With Francisco Lindor recently heating up, and Starling Marte’s bat showing signs of life, the Mets were hoping to build some offensive momentum. Baty—when right—is a crucial piece of that plan. He adds pop, and his glove at third has quietly improved over the course of the season.
But now, if he’s sidelined again, it opens a tricky question: What’s the Mets’ Plan B?
Could we see Mark Vientos—who’s currently on a rehab stint—get the call a little sooner than expected? Could they shift Jeff McNeil around again? Or do they bite the bullet and look externally?
A Sliver of Hope (and Maybe Some Tape)
The good news? The Mets didn’t immediately place Baty on the injured list. That could mean the team is just being cautious. But with groin injuries, even minor ones, the margin for error is thin. If he’s not moving right, the Mets can’t risk turning a tweak into a tear.
Fans are right to feel a little snake-bitten. This season’s script has too often looked like this: a spark of promise, then a splash of cold reality.
Still, if Baty can bounce back quickly, his home run might not be a one-off—it could be the start of a rebound both for him and the Mets’ infield core.
Stay tuned, and keep the ice packs handy.