KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Jesse Winker’s lower back will be treated with medication over the next five to seven days before the Mets reevaluate the veteran DH.
The team placed Winker on the injured list Friday with inflammation in the back, a day after he was removed from the first game of a doubleheader against the Orioles with discomfort.
Winker returned from a two-month stay on the injured list on Tuesday — he was rehabbing a strained oblique.
According to manager Carlos Mendoza, there is no indication the injuries are related.
“That was my first question, too,” Mendoza said before the Mets’ 8-3 victory over the Royals at Kauffman Stadium. “Talking to the trainers and the [physical therapists] he was really strong with the oblique. This is just something that came up, but nothing related.”
The Mets recalled Jared Young from Triple-A Syracuse to give the team another left-handed bat.
Mark Vientos, who had the key go-ahead three-run double in Friday’s win, was in the starting lineup as the DH despite the Royals starting right-hander Michael Wacha and rewarded Mendoza’s faith.
Mendoza indicated Wacha’s reverse splits factored into the decision.
Vientos is also expected to start as the DH on Saturday for the same reason, with right-hander Michael Lorenzen scheduled to start for the Royals.
Sean Manaea will pitch from the bullpen on Sunday in his first Mets appearance this season.
The left-hander will piggyback Clay Holmes, who is receiving the final start before the All-Star break to keep him from facing a potential 15-day layoff.
“We’re just trying to keep Clay with his routine,” Mendoza said of the decision to start Holmes over Manaea. “They are both used to coming out of the bullpen, they have got experience. Talking to both it was ‘Whatever you guys want to do.’ We’re just trying to keep it simple.”
Starling Marte underwent an MRI exam on his right knee, which offered encouraging results, according to Mendoza.
The veteran outfielder was placed on the injured list Tuesday because of recurring discomfort in the knee.
The Mets plan to limit Marte’s running, but he was set to begin limited baseball activities.
The team is hopeful Marte will return shortly after the All-Star break.
Reliever Rico Garcia was designated for assignment, and the Mets optioned right-hander Justin Hagenman to Syracuse.
Austin Warren (who served as the 27th player for Thursday’s doubleheader) was recalled and Kodai Senga was activated from the injured list.
