Mets have problems at shortstop as Ronny Mauricio suffers hand injury

Mets have problems at shortstop as Ronny Mauricio suffers hand injury

The blows keep coming to the Mets infield.

Mets shortstop Ronny Mauricio suffered a fractured left thumb on a headfirst slide into first base in the top of the seventh inning of the Mets' 4-3, 10-inning loss to the Angels on Saturday night in Anaheim.

The injury to Mauricio dings up the Mets infield even further, particularly at shortstop. Carlos Mendoza told reporters that Mauricio will go on the injured list. Francisco Lindor has been on the injured list since April 23 with a right calf strain. He is set to be evaluated in about two weeks.

"It's tough, obviously," Mendoza told reporters. "You lose your everyday shortstop and the guy that comes up that is getting the everyday opportunity now. Somebody else is going to get an opportunity."

Mauricio was getting his first regular reps at shortstop in his young career. He provided the big lift in Friday's 4-3 victory over the Angels with a go-ahead solo home run in the seventh inning. The switch-hitting shortstop is slashing .219/.219/.313 with one home run, three runs, two RBI and 12 strikeouts in 10 games.

Mendoza said Bo Bichette will be in the mix to slide to shortstop with Lindor and Mauricio now on the shelf.

"Whatever the team needs," Bichette told reporters.

The Mets will also need to call someone up for additional coverage in the infield. In Triple-A Syracuse, Vidal Brujan and Jackson Cluff both have shortstop experience. If Bichette shifts over from third base, Brett Baty could return to his natural position at third base.

On the right side of the infield, Jorge Polanco is progressing from a right wrist contusion and Achilles bursitis, taking batting practice and ground balls last week. He could take some of the burden off at first base upon his return.