Overview
- Polanco was moved up to Triple‑A Syracuse on a rehab assignment but will remain there instead of joining the Mets for the Padres series this weekend.
- New York is prioritizing medical caution because Polanco is recovering from left Achilles bursitis and team officials have said he is likely to feel the injury if rushed back.
- Polanco struggled offensively before the injured list, hitting .179/.246/.286 with one home run and a .532 OPS in his last 61 plate appearances for the Mets.
- His five minor‑league rehab games so far produced little offensive evidence of readiness, so the Mets will only activate him if he can play consecutive games without pain.
- If he returns healthy Polanco would add a switch‑hit bat and corner/DH flexibility for manager Carlos Mendoza but his availability and production could shape the Mets' lineup choices and trade‑deadline plans.