Jorge Polanco hits injured list as Mets take another early season blow

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New York Mets designated hitter Jorge Polanco (11) walks back to the dugout after striking out during the MLB game between the New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 14, 2026 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. — New York Mets designated hitter Jorge Polanco (11) walks back to the dugout after striking out during the MLB game between the New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 14, 2026 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles , CA.

Mike Puma

Sat, Apr 18, 2026 ·

2 min read

CHICAGO — Jorge Polanco’s ankle has been an issue for weeks, but ultimately another ailment removed him from the active roster Saturday.

The veteran slugger was diagnosed with a right wrist contusion and placed on the injured list before the Mets faced the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Polanco had missed the previous two games: one because of Achilles bursitis in his right ankle and the other due to wrist discomfort.

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Polanco felt the wrist discomfort following swings against the Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto on Tuesday, according to manager Carlos Mendoza.

“He’s just got to let it calm down a little bit and we’ll go from there,” said Mendoza, who declined to set a timetable for Polanco’s return.

Polanco will also have an opportunity to rest his ankle, which Mendoza said was improving.

“He was getting to a good place,” Mendoza said. “He had good days, bad days, but he was trending in the right direction. It’s obviously going to help now with him being down, but the biggest thing now is we have got to take care of that wrist.”

Limited mostly to DH because of the Achilles bursitis, Polanco has produced a .179/.246/.286 slash line with one homer and two RBIs.

Polanco joined Juan Soto (right calf strain) on the IL, leaving the Mets without two middle-of-the-order bats. The Mets are hopeful Soto will return to the lineup on the next homestand.

Hayden Senger was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse to fill Polanco’s roster spot. The move gave the Mets a third catcher and will allow Mendoza the flexibility to utilize Luis Torrens as a pinch hitter.

“We’re looking at the next couple of days here, how many lefties they have got in their bullpen,” said Mendoza, who added that Senger’s addition would also allow the possibility of Francisco Alvarez receiving DH duty.

Kodai Senga “as of right now” is still part of the Mets starting rotation, according to Mendoza.

The right-hander had a second straight ugly outing Friday and owns an 8.83 ERA over four starts this season.

“Right now, we’re just going through film, talking to him,” Mendoza said. “… we have just got to help him.