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Rehabbing Jeff McNeil hopes to be part of Mets’ postseason action

Oct. 7, 2024
Rehabbing Jeff McNeil hopes to be part of Mets’ postseason action

PHILADELPHIA — Jeff McNeil has been working out. Now, it’s about getting into baseball shape.

The Mets utilityman, who is rehabbing a right wrist fracture, rejoined the team Sunday following the birth of a daughter in recent days and went through a full pregame workout at Citizens Bank Park.

Afterward, he didn’t rule out the possibility he would be ready to play if the team advances to the NLCS.

“I’ve got to go off the advice of the training staff and what the team needs,” McNeil said before the Mets lost 7-6 to the Phillies in Game 2 of the NLDS. “I want to be ready to play. I know there’s a few more steps I need to take care of in order to be ready.”

Among them is facing live pitching. To this point, McNeil has taken batting practice, fielded grounders and run.

McNeil, who has been on the injured list since early September, departed the team near the end of the last homestand for family reasons.

He said it was an “experience” watching the team on TV as it clinched a postseason berth and won the NL Wild Card Series.

“Watching that Atlanta game, I was going nuts in my house,” McNeil said, referring to the Mets victory last Monday that thrust them into the postseason on Francisco Lindor’s home run. “I wish I could have been there celebrating.”

McNeil said he watched the wild-card clincher over the Brewers from a hospital room, as he and his wife awaited the baby’s arrival. Pete Alonso’s homer in the ninth resurrected the Mets to a victory.

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“I remember sitting in the hospital bed with my wife and Pete comes up in that situation, and I go, ‘Maybe a home run right here,’ ” McNeil said. “She says, ‘Don’t go crazy [if it happens].’ We were in a hospital room, and they were going to think she had the baby. He hit the homer, and I tried to contain myself. It was a special moment, and I was super happy for Pete.”

The Mets will hold an optional workout Monday at Citi Field. … Sean Manaea was announced as the Mets starting pitcher for Game 3 on Tuesday.


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