Mets' Jesse Winker likely will miss remainder of the season
The Mets' Jesse Winker walks back to the dugout after being thrown out at home plate during the second inning of a game against the Minnesota Twins on April 16 in Minneapolis. Credit: AP/Abbie Parr
DETROIT — Jesse Winker’s season may be over as the Mets designated hitter/outfielder had to suspend his minor-league rehab assignment to get checked out by doctors in New York.
Winker, who has been out since July 11 with lower back inflammation, has appeared in just 26 games after re-signing with the Mets for one year and $7.5 million in the offseason. He is hitting .229 with one home run. Winker, a former Mets nemesis, became a fan favorite late last season and in the 2024 postseason. But he never got going in 2025.
“When we signed him, the role for him was to have that lefthanded bat,” said manager Carlos Mendoza, who made the announcement before the Mets played the Tigers at Comerica Park on Tuesday night. “So at this point, it sucks for Wink, but we’ve got to get him right. But we’ve got to keep going.”
Mendoza said “we’re probably running out of time” in terms of Winker returning this season.
Notes & quotes
Tyrone Taylor, who has been unavailable since Saturday with a left hamstring strain, was placed on the 10-day IL retroactive to that day. Jared Young was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse . . . RHP Kevin Herget was recalled from Syracuse and LHP Brandon Waddell was sent down to Triple-A . . . Mendoza said “there’s a good chance” Jonah Tong will make his second big-league start on Saturday in Cincinnati.
Anthony Rieber covers baseball, as well as the NFL, NBA and NHL. He has worked at Newsday since Aug. 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since July 5, 2004.
