Jeff McNeil is back from the right oblique strain that sidelined him in spring training, but Luisangel Acuña still is getting plenty of time at second base.
Acuña started at second for a fourth straight game Tuesday, with the Mets facing Arizona lefty Eduardo Rodriguez and McNeil, who’s also seen time in center field, not in the lineup.
Acuña entered Tuesday with an .811 OPS in his previous 13 games and had two hits, a pair of runs scored and a stolen base in an 8-3 win.
Carlos Mendoza said the team will continue to find playing time for Acuña.
“He’s taken advantage of his opportunities,” the manager said of Acuña. “That’s on us to continue his development and to continue to give him playing time. It’s important for him to get comfortable at this level. He continues to show he’s a big league player.”
Acuña also impressed when he scored from first on Tyrone Taylor’s double in the second.
“There’s a lot to like,” Mendoza said.
After Brandon Nimmo tied a franchise record with nine RBIs in Monday’s win over the Nationals, the outfielder didn’t play Tuesday.
Mendoza made clear he wasn’t simply giving Nimmo a day off against a lefty following his career-best day.
“I’m not resting Brandon, especially after the game [Monday],” the manager said.
Instead, Mendoza said Nimmo was among the Mets players to be hit with a flu-like bug.
Juan Soto gave the Mets a scare in the top of the fifth, when he appeared to be shaken up following an awkward diving attempt at a liner to right field by Arizona’s Jorge Barrosa.
Soto couldn’t make the catch, which fell for an RBI double.
Mendoza and a trainer checked on Soto, who stayed in the game.
Afterward, Mendoza said Soto was “fine.”
Mendoza said the Mets hadn’t decided on a starter for Wednesday but added left-hander Brandon Waddell would be called up from Triple-A Syracuse to be used in some capacity against Arizona, either as a starter or bulk reliever.
The 30-year-old Waddell last pitched in the majors with St. Louis in 2021 and spent most of the past three seasons in Japan and China.
He’s made five starts with Syracuse this season.
Mendoza added the Mets will wait until after Wednesday’s game to determine whether they will use a six-man rotation again the next time through.
Paul Blackburn threw a bullpen session Tuesday at Citi Field and is scheduled to make a rehab start with Class-A Brooklyn on Friday, then another rehab outing with Triple-A Syracuse before the Mets make a decision regarding his IL stint.
Blackburn is on the 15-day IL with right knee inflammation.
Brooks Raley, signed by the Mets for the rest of this season with an option for 2026, still is rehabbing from last May’s Tommy John surgery.
Mendoza said the lefty is throwing bullpen sessions and is expected to start facing batters in Port St. Lucie soon.
Beloved Mets fan Seymour Weiner died, the team announced in a post on social media.
The World War II veteran gained fame last year on Opening Day when he was honored as the Veteran of the Game and fans quickly seized upon his name and lovingly turned him into a meme.
Weiner was ecstatic over the turn of events, and the Mets highlighted him as part of a promotion for a $1 hot dog night at Citi Field last April.
