PITTSBURGH — Mark Vientos’ return from the injured list Friday wasn’t enough to dislodge a rookie infielder from his roster spot.
Ronny Mauricio was certainly at risk because of the Mets’ plethora of infield choices and the importance of giving him consistent playing time after he spent the last season recovering from multiple knee surgeries.
But the club instead chose to option Jared Young to Triple-A Syracuse.
Mauricio, who started as the second baseman in the Mets’ disappointing 9-1 defeat to the Pirates, might have secured his place on the roster with a 5-for-13 stretch in the Mets’ previous three games.
He was 1-for-3, including 0-for-2 with runners in scoring position, with a walk and a strikeout on Friday.
Carlos Mendoza started Vientos (0-for-4 with two strikeouts) as the DH, with Brett Baty (2-for-4) at third base.
The manager remains hopeful that there are still sufficient at-bats available for Mauricio, who started with a .226/.273/.403 slash line, including three homers and 21 strikeouts in 62 at-bats.
“Keeping a guy like Mauricio that can provide some type of versatility, the way he has been playing of late, we feel there’s going to be enough at-bats for him to keep him on the roster,” Mendoza said. “Brett Baty continues to play well, so we just feel like we are better as of right now with the way the roster is constructed.”
Young, who served as left-handed DH, owned a .171/.227/.415 slash line with three homers and four RBIs in 41 at-bats.
Jeff McNeil’s adaptation to playing center field has created opportunities for Mauricio at second base.
Mauricio also can play third and shortstop.
“Our goal is to win baseball games but also understanding that we have a lot of young players that need development,” Mendoza said, noting that Francisco Alvarez and Luisangel Acuña were optioned to Syracuse in the past week. “As long as we feel there’s going to be at-bats and some playing time for them, we are comfortable.”
Lefty reliever Richard Lovelady rejected an outright to Syracuse and became a free agent.
Lovelady was signed Monday and appeared in one game for the Mets.
Austin Warren was optioned to Syracuse for a fresh arm in the bullpen after pitching 2 ¹/₃ shutout innings in relief Thursday against the Braves.
The Mets recalled lefty reliever Colin Poche.
José Azócar signed a minor league contract with the Mets and will report to Syracuse.
