Mets adhere to medical protocols amid 2026 slump as Stearns rules out drastic roster moves
Despite sitting in last place after approximately a quarter of the 2026 campaign, the club maintains confidence in its squad while promoting 21-year-old A.J. Ewing to provide defensive depth.
New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns has confirmed that the club is strictly adhering to medical protocols for key injured players, including Jorge Polanco, Luis Robert Jr., and Francisco Lindor, rather than implementing drastic roster changes. This approach comes as the franchise navigates a challenging start to the 2026 season, currently occupying last place after roughly a quarter of the campaign has been played.
Stearns stated that the team is following the guidance of physicians who are experts in these specific conditions, noting that a complete shutdown of injured players is not currently recommended. Consequently, the organisation is proceeding with a strategy of patience, aiming to allow the squad to heal from within while awaiting potential recoveries from the core group.
The decision to maintain the current structure is compounded by underperformance from veterans who have been healthy. Bo Bichette is hitting .222 with a .559 OPS, significantly below his career norms of .290 and .793. Similarly, Marcus Semien is posting a .225 average with a .594 OPS, falling short of his previous year's figures. Stearns indicated that firing manager Carlos Mendoza would not address these fundamental issues regarding offensive production and player performance.
Regarding the manager's future, Stearns declined to comment on Mendoza's job security, reiterating that he does not intend to dismiss him at this stage. While acknowledging that the team has not been a good enough offensive unit to score sufficient runs, Stearns maintained that the organisation supports the group and is doing everything possible to ensure a successful season.
To bridge the gap left by the injured core, the club has promoted 21-year-old outfielder A.J. Ewing to the majors. Ewing is expected to play regularly in center field until further notice to gain experience and provide defensive depth. Stearns emphasised that the promotion was made because the organisation believed Ewing was ready for the moment, regardless of whether the season ultimately ends in failure or revival.
Specific medical updates highlight the uncertainty surrounding the roster. Jorge Polanco has not played since April 14 due to left Achilles tendon bursitis, while Luis Robert Jr.'s lower back pain is described as not resolving despite specialist consultations. An MRI for Francisco Lindor is scheduled within the next few days to determine if he can resume activities or will miss several more weeks.
