Dominic Smith is set to join the Mets as the team closes out their regular season at Citi Field.
The Mets activated Smith from the 60-day Injured List, the club announced, but won't start in Thursday's game. Smith was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his left foot and hasn't played since July 26. Before he landed on the team's IL, Smith tallied 22 RBIs with a .278 batting average. It was an eventful season for Smith who needed to adjust from playing in the infield to becoming an outfielder.
Mets manager Mickey Callaway consistently reiterated his Smith's growth in the outfield ahead of the injury.
"First off, I think he can blossom here," Callaway told Mike Francesa in July. "I am very encouraged by what I'm seeing in the outfield from him. He's not going to run a ball down in the gap and make a fantastic play, diving or anything like that. But he catches every ball that he can get to, and he gets the ball in with a pretty accurate arm. And this guy can flat out rake.
As a result of Smith's return, Jeff McNeil was placed on the 60-day IL.
McNeil sustained a fracture in his right wrist during the Mets' 10-3 win on Wednesday. The 27-year-old finished the season leading the Mets in batting average (.318) and third on the team with 75 RBIs. He fully expects to be ready for when Spring Training begins next year.
"They said this was no big deal," McNeil told reporters, via SNY. "They said they just need to put a plate in it. I think recovery time is quicker with surgery, so they have no worries."
McNeil's injury highlighted a night where the Mets saw their postseason aspirations come to an end. Despite the Mets' dominant victory over Miami, the Brewers clinched at least the final wild-card spot, eliminating New York from playoff contention.
