The New York Mets‘ season hasn’t even started, and they’re already playing from behind. Just when fans hoped for a smooth launch, injuries have decided to set the lineup instead. With key players sidelined before Opening Day, the team’s depth is being tested early. If this trend continues, they might need a backup roster for their backup roster.

The injuries keep piling up for the New York Mets. We are not even past spring training and the Mets already had injuries to their important players.

Sean Manaea, who was supposed to be their starting pitcher, is out for the opening day due to a strained right oblique and will return by late April. Their catcher Francisco Alvarez is also out due to a fractured left hamate bone. This means that Alvarez will not be available until the start of May. Now, added to that list is Jeff McNeil, and it looks like even he will be out for a long time.

On March 7, Jeff McNeil was diagnosed with a low-grade right oblique strain. According to reports, McNeil is restricted from all baseball activities for the next 7–10 days while more evaluation is made about his recovery. He is set to miss the opening day on March 27 and might be out for the next 3–4 weeks.

Now, Carlos Mendoza has a job as he will have to find replacements for McNeil. He usually played as a utility player and covered both infield and outfield positions. But this season, he was set to play at second base.

There are some good contenders like Brett Baty and Luisangel Acuna who can replace him, but it will be difficult to replace his batting abilities.

In the 2024 season, Jeff McNeil played 129 games before suffering an injury to his wrist. During this time he hit 12 home runs and had 44 RBIs with an average of .238. The average might not be that good but his OBP was a solid .308. Even in the spring, he had an average of .250 with an RBI over his 16 at-bats.

With McNeil out, the Mets don’t just need a replacement—they need production. The options are there, but can they deliver? If not, Mendoza might be fielding more questions about injuries than wins this season.

The Mets star is very confident in the team’s batting lineup

The Mets have built a batting lineup that should terrify pitchers—on paper, at least. But as any seasoned fan knows, baseball isn’t won on spreadsheets or hype reels. Francisco Lindor, never one to mince words, made it clear: Talent alone won’t cut it. With expectations sky-high, the Mets must prove their firepower translates into victories.

Lindor expressed his excitement after the signings of Juan Soto and Pete Alonso. He said, “It’s definitely a very good lineup. We still have a lot of work to do.” Although the team’s lineup is star-studded, they will have to work a lot to get to the World Series.

He says that what happened last year will remain the past and nobody cares about that. The team will have to be more confident and consistent with their execution throughout the season. He also said that this Mets team is very different from the other teams he has played for.

The Mets have the firepower, the talent, and the confidence—but none of that wins championships. Execution does. If this lineup of stars can’t deliver, maybe it’s not the players that need changing, but the script the Mets keep following. What do you think?