By Sunday 
Another key piece could be heading to the IL just as he found his rhythm
It’s been a tough stretch for the Mets lately, and things just got a bit tougher. Jesse Winker, who was finally starting to show signs of life at the plate, is likely headed to the Injured List after suffering an oblique injury during the first game of a doubleheader loss to the Cardinals.
Not the Debut He Hoped For
Winker made his first start of the season in left field during Sunday’s game and unfortunately didn’t make it through the full contest. In the fourth inning, after catching a sacrifice fly and firing the ball back to the infield, Winker came up grimacing — and that was it. Diagnosed with “right side discomfort,” he was pulled from the game.
Now, he’s headed to New York for further testing. The Mets haven’t officially placed him on the IL just yet, but the writing’s on the wall.
Finding His Groove
Winker’s season didn’t start out with fireworks, but lately, he’s been trending in the right direction. His current slash line — .230/.321/.418 — includes five doubles, two triples, and a home run. That’s good for an OPS+ of 111, signaling that his bat was warming up just when the Mets needed it.
It’s unfortunate timing, especially as he’s been splitting DH duties with Starling Marte. With Winker potentially sidelined, Marte might have to take on more DH reps — though at 35, with declining numbers and being a righty, he’s not exactly the perfect plug-in long term.
Injury Bug Bites Again
Winker’s possible IL stint comes on the heels of other major blows to the Mets’ roster. A.J. Minter and Danny Young have both gone down with significant injuries in the past week, making Winker the third key piece in eight days to face medical uncertainty.
Hoping for the Best
There’s still a chance this could be minor — oblique injuries can vary wildly in severity — but until the test results are back, the Mets and their fans are holding their breath. One thing’s for sure: the timing couldn’t be worse.
With a roster already feeling the strain, the Mets need all hands on deck. Let’s hope Winker’s New York visit brings better news than expected.