According to Jon Heyman, Syracuse Mets stud Rubén Tejada could be on his way to Atlanta. Here are all the details and why it’s great news.
Rubén Tejada found his way back to the New York Mets and has flourished during his time with the Syracuse Mets.
In 299 PA for Syracuse, Tejada has slashed .332/.411/.477 with a 132 wRC+. Last week Tejada and Dilson Herrera’s performance this season had put them on the Mets’ radar for a Major League call-up.
"According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, the Mets have “made arrangements,” for Tejada to join them in Atlanta for game two of their current three-game set against the Braves."
Tejada’s roster spot will be made available from a hamstring injury to Jeff McNeil. McNeil was in New York’s lineup Tuesday night and went 1-for-5 but according to Heyman, McNeil will be “evaluated later on Wednesday.” McNeil is third in the National League batting crown race and was a first-time All-Star this year.
Along with production out of the leadoff spot, losing McNeil hurts the Mets depth at multiple positions because of McNeil’s versatility. McNeil has seen 98 games between the corner outfield spots and another 43 in the infield split up between third base and second base. Tejada to date has not appeared in a professional game in the outfield but has shown the ability to move around the infield even in 2019. Tejada has played 18 games at shortstop, 41 at third base, and second base 12 times.
Mets have made arrangements for Ruben Tejada to join the team in Atlanta. The official word is that McNeil (hamstring) will be evaluated later today, but they have plan in place, in case.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) August 14, 2019
If Tejada is the choice to replace McNeil, if an Injured List stint is required, shifts J.D. Davis into the outfield with Michael Conforto and a rotation of Juan Lagares and Aaron Altherr. With Tejada adding depth to the infield with another 2019 Syracuse Met, Luis Guillorme, newly acquired Joe Panik, and Todd Frazier and Amed Rosario.
If Tejada plays for New York this year it will be his first game with the Mets since the 2015 NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers the year the Mets won the National League Pennant and faced the Kansas City Royals in the World Series.
The last time Mets fans saw Tejada was a game of significance. Tejada was taken out by Dodger Chase Utley on a slide in Game 2 of the National League Division Series. A slide that broke Tejada’s leg and ended his season and prompted Major League Baseball to change the rules regarding take out slides at second base.
Tejada’s journey back to the Mets has consisted stints in the St. Louis Cardinals, San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles systems including only 77 games at the Major League level since 2015 and none since 2017. Tejada’s production and experience has earned himself another shot and only fitting if he returns to the Majors with the Mets a place he has become a cult hero and beloved.