Jesse Winker’s return to the New York Mets was supposed to bring that spark. Instead, it lasted a single at-bat!

After missing over two months with an oblique injury, the veteran designated hitter was finally activated and inserted into the lineup for Game 1 of Thursday’s doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles. For a team that’s chasing consistency and healthy figures, it was a welcome sight. But sadly, it was brief.

Winker stepped to the plate at the top of the first inning and flied out. But something was not right. By the time his next turn came, Mark Vientos was up to bat in his place. And well, just like that, Winker’s day and maybe his comeback were done with. Later, Anthony DiCamo reported first that, “Sounds like Jesse Winker could be headed to the IL. His back ‘locked up,’ per Carlos Mendoza, and he’s heading to New York for testing.”

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza later confirmed what fans had feared. Winker had felt his back lock up during the at-bat and was being sent back to New York for further testing, including an MRI. And when asked if Winker might be headed back to IL, Mendoza did mention, “Potentially.” And so that’s all it took—one outing, and done.

It has left another question mark for the New York Mets, who have already lost Starling Marte to a knee injury this week. They honestly can’t seem to catch a break when it comes to the health front.

Winker, who signed a $7.5 million deal with the Mets this offseason, hasn’t had the opportunity to show all he can do in New York. His season is more IL than box score. And now, with this unexpected setback, it’s another sad chapter. The Mets have not made any other additional roster moves—they are just waiting on the MRI.

The timing couldn’t be worse. With the trade deadline approaching, the schedule is not letting up. And the Mets are locked in a wild-card battle, so now every game and every bat matters.

Winker’s injury could force the New York Mets to make their most exciting call-up

With just three days left before the All-Star break, the New York Mets might have no choice but to place Winker on the IL. And that opens the door for someone else to step in. Right now, the safe move would be to call up Jared Young from Triple-A Syracuse. But the bold and more exciting move would be to give Drew Gilbert his long-awaited chance at the big league.

Drew Gilbert’s start to the year was rocky for sure, but lately he has been hot. In July, for example, he is hitting .320 with three homers, nine RBIs, and a 1.134 OBP in just 25 at-bats. Since late June, he has launched five of his 11 total home runs. So, he is heating up. And with Tyron Taylor struggling at the plate and Acuna shipped off, Gilbert could be the jolt the offense needs. His recent power can help the team now more than ever.

And the bigger picture here is—if Gilbert can hold down the center field, whether solo or in a platoon, there is one less thing that the team would need to tackle during the trade deadline. Especially if Winker’s back issue lingers, and the team needs to look for a DH. But the catch is Gilbert isn’t on the 40-man roster, and adding him would use the spot left open by Travis Jankowski’s DFA.

So right now, it all just hinges on Winker’s status. Do you think Gilbert might get a chance this time?