The Mets will be without Jesse Winker at least a while longer.
Manager Carlos Mendoza said Friday the DH, on the IL with back inflammation, had an epidural and would be sidelined at least another 7-10 days.
Winker played in just two games after being out for more than two months with an oblique strain that the Mets said was unrelated to the current back injury.
Starling Marte appears to be closer to a return from his right knee bruise, with Mendoza saying Friday the 36-year-old is running at full speed and could be back next week.
Without their lefty-righty DH combination, Mark Vientos was back in the lineup and went 0-for-4 in an 8-4 loss to the Reds.
“He’s gonna play a big role on this team,’’ Mendoza said before the game. “He’s too good of a hitter.”
The Mets are still waiting for the version of Vientos that hit 27 homers a year ago to reappear.
“When he’s making good swing decisions, he’s a really good hitter and we need him,” Mendoza said
With Vientos at DH, Ronny Mauricio got another start at third against a lefty.
“He impacts the baseball from both sides,’’ Mendoza said. “He has an ability to drive the ball to all fields and like how he controls the strike zone. We know the chase is gonna be there, but the impact is there, as well. We’ll continue to give him playing time.
Max Kranick, out since mid-June, is expected to have Tommy John surgery, Mendoza said.
It would be the second time the right-hander will have to undergo the procedure.
“You feel for the guy,’’ Mendoza said. “We saw how important he was the first couple months out of the bullpen. It sucks for him and for us.”
More relief help could come soon, as José Buttó, out due to an illness, had his rehab assignment transferred to Triple-A Syracuse.
And Paul Blackburn is set to start a rehab assignment with the Florida Complex League Mets.
Francisco Alvarez hit another homer with Triple-A Syracuse on Friday, as he continues to play well since being optioned on June 22.
Mendoza said the organization wants the catcher to “continue to do the same thing,” with his bat and defense showing signs of improvement — but not enough to get back to the majors.
“He’s making it hard on us and that’s what we want,’’ Mendoza said.
Kodai Senga won’t pitch until Monday against the Dodgers, with Mendoza saying they are planning the next “three or four weeks” and possibly using a sixth starter at some point.
“We’re going to continue to monitor those guys,’’ Mendoza said of his starters. “We’ll play the long game. We know how important they are for the rotation.” … José Siri won’t be back anytime soon, having already missed three months with a left tibia fracture that’s been slow to heal. Mendoza said there’s no timetable for when the center fielder could begin running again.
