Mets' Jeff McNeil is a manager's best friend

Timing is everything when you try to fly above a wall and pull off a robbery of a potential home-run ball.

The timing was right for Jeff McNeil against Atlanta Wednesday night.

He took a flying leap for the Mets and stuck his glove over the orange topping on the fence in left-center at Citi Field, and he pulled in Marcell Ozuna’s bid for a two-run homer in the first inning.

“I think I’ve had a few where I kind of get back to the wall and jump up,” McNeil said. “I think that’s the first one I’ve had where [it was] in stride, timed it up and made the catch.”

He started in center in that Mets win before Carlos Mendoza pulled him after seven for an even better defender, Tyrone Taylor. So was McNeil back in center in Thursday night’s series finale? No. He opened in left so Brandon Nimmo could serve as the DH.

McNeil’s versatility is invaluable for his manager. Mendoza can use him at his primary spot at second, start him in center or left, or even shift him to right if need be — and not sweat over what’s going to happen if a ball comes McNeil’s way.

“It allows me to continue to be flexible and give guys off days,” Mendoza said. “And not only when I’m making out the lineup but in-game decisions, whether you’re going to pinch hit, you’re going to put someone as a defensive replacement or as a pinch runner, having a guy like that that you can move around to so many different positions and not losing any defense.

“… That’s a really good player to have on your roster.”

It helps that McNeil has embraced the opportunity to not just stand in one spot.

“I like being the utility player,” McNeil said.

The challenge of playing center is particularly appealing to him. The Mets have gone 10-3 when he has started out there this season.

“It’s been something I’ve wanted to do since I got drafted,” McNeil said. “I played a lot of outfield in college [at Long Beach State]. I knew I could be a plus centerfielder, especially early in my minor-league days when I was a little faster, a little thinner.”

The 33-year-old lefty hitter strained an oblique during spring training, so his Mets season didn’t start until April 25. He was at just .221 on May 26.

But McNeil came into Thursday night with five doubles, six homers, 14 RBIs and an .879 OPS across his previous 24 games since then.

His slash line was at .253/.341/.494 with eight homers, 24 RBIs and an .834 OPS over his first 49 games.

Not quite where he was in 2022 when he won the NL batting title at .326. The two-time All-Star dropped to .270 the following year, then finished at .238 last season. He was at .216 at the All-Star break before hitting .289 over his final 41 games.

“He lost playing time last year,” Mendoza said. “He went through a stretch toward the end of May, early June, at this time, he lost playing time. And he had to fight. He did it.

“So you’ve got to give him credit. He was challenged and he responded to it.”

One notable full-time outfielder thought highly of McNeil’s response to Ozuna’s long drive.

“He was great,” Juan Soto said. “He timed it up perfectly. I know how hard it is to make a play like that.”

More time in the outfield? Bring it on.

“I love playing outfield,” McNeil said. “It’s a lot of fun. And you get to make cool catches.”

Notes & quotes: The Mets plan to reinstate Mark Vientos (hamstring) from the injured list for Friday night’s game in Pittsburgh. “Oh man, it’s good to be back with the guys and seeing a bunch of faces that I miss,” Vientos said after returning from his rehab assignment with Syracuse. … Jesse Winker (oblique) took batting practice. “He’s not favoring anything,” Mendoza said, adding that Winker is on schedule to begin a rehab assignment as a DH Sunday, likely with Class-A Brooklyn. … Righthander reliever Austin Warren was recalled from Syracuse. Righty Jonathan Pintaro was optioned after making his major-league debut as a reliever Wednesday night.