New York Mets Reevaluate Player Risk After Injury-Heavy Start

Six weeks into the 2024 season, the Mets placed acquisitions Jorge Polanco and Luis Robert Jr. on the injured list, prompting President of Baseball Operations David Stearns to order a review of the club’s risk-assessment for injury-prone players.

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The Mets signed 32-year-old Jorge Polanco to a two-year, $40 million contract to replace Pete Alonso, despite six IL stints for multiple injuries. Luis Robert Jr. arrived from the Chicago White Sox for Luisangel Acuña and pitcher Truman Pauley, after eight IL stints, a herniated disk diagnosed April 30.

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David Stearns leads the reassessment, while manager Carlos Mendoza oversees decisions. The Mets promoted 21-year-old prospect A.J. Ewing, who went 1-for-2 with two runs and two RBIs in his debut, and installed Bo Bichette at shortstop after Ronny Mauricio’s thumb fracture.

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April 18: Jorge Polanco placed on IL (bruised wrist, Achilles bursitis) after 14 games. April 23: Francisco Lindor to IL with a calf strain. April 30: Luis Robert Jr. added for a herniated disk. Early May: Juan Soto sidelined >2 weeks with a calf strain; mid-May: Ronny Mauricio fractured his thumb, out 6-8 weeks.

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Through six weeks, the Mets sit 15-25, the league’s worst record, and are tied for last in runs scored, OPS and wRC+. Their payroll ranks second-most expensive in MLB, underscoring the gap between spending and production and threatening postseason prospects.

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Stearns said the team must refine its evaluation of injury-prone players, noting the situation “hasn’t helped” performance. He added Polanco must become asymptomatic regarding his ankle and bursitis before returning. Stearns also asserted the roster has enough talent and character to mount a postseason run.

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Analysts have questioned the Mets’ willingness to invest heavily in players with extensive injury histories, arguing that the resulting roster underperforms relative to its payroll and that the simultaneous injuries expose flaws in the club’s prior risk-assessment approach.

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• “I think we absolutely have to look at our risk assessment on injured players or players who get injured once they're here,” — David Stearns, President, Baseball Operations

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• “We need to get asymptomatic with the ankle and with the bursitis," Stearns said.” — David Stearns, President, Baseball Operations

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• “We would not have made the decision if we didn't feel A.J. was ready to make the jump, so that's first and foremost,” — David Stearns, President, Baseball Operations

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• “I think we have the talent on the roster and the character on the roster to make a run,” — David Stearns, President, Baseball Operations

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The Mets will continue monitoring Luis Robert Jr.’s back with specialists, await the results of Francisco Lindor’s MRI, and assess Jorge Polanco’s recovery from bursitis. Additional roster adjustments may follow as the revised risk-assessment framework is applied before the mid-season stretch.

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