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Try it freeSAN DIEGO — Jorge Polanco’s imminent return to the Mets may not be so imminent.
The veteran infielder was removed from his minor league rehab assignment Saturday due to ankle soreness, according to the team, and he will return to New York for further evaluation.
Polanco previously was scheduled to play for Triple-A Syracuse.
The Mets had originally hoped he would rejoin the club on this road trip, but manager Carlos Mendoza indicated Friday that Polanco needed to build up at-bats and innings at first base for Syracuse.
Jorge Polanco is pictured during the Mets’ March 29 game. Corey Sipkin for the NY PostPolanco, who arrived on a two-year contract worth $40 million, was placed on the injured list with a right wrist contusion April 15 but at the time was also dealing with left Achilles bursitis.
In recent weeks Mendoza said Polanco would likely have to play through some level of discomfort in the ankle this season.
Kodai Senga is built up enough to rejoin the Mets, but the team wants to see results before removing him from his minor league rehab assignment.
The right-hander struggled through his last outing, allowing six hits and two walks with three earned runs over five innings in his start for Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday. Senga owns a 5.19 ERA in three minor league starts as he rehabs from lumbar spine inflammation.
Senga’s next start is scheduled for Double-A Binghamton on Tuesday.
“Some inconsistency with strike throwing,” Mendoza said before the Mets faced the Padres on Saturday. “Physically he feels fine, which is good, but obviously we need to see some results here now.”
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Mendoza noted that Senga’s velocity was down in his last outing, but overall it hasn’t been an issue.
“He’s got to be able to compete in the strike zone,” Mendoza said. “I have been saying it about a lot of our guys, so I think it’s just attacking and dominating [minor league] lineups.”
Sean Manaea was sharp in a bulk relief role Monday and is expected to again follow an opener for his Sunday appearance against the Padres to complete this road trip.
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The lefty allowed one earned run over five innings against the Mariners and has pitched to a 2.70 ERA over his past five appearances.
Francisco Alvarez was scheduled to catch back-to-back games for Syracuse on Saturday and Sunday, placing him in position for a return from the injured list during the next Mets homestand.
Alvarez is returning from surgery to repair a meniscus tear.
Mendoza recorded his 200th career victory as Mets manager Friday. Mendoza, in his third season, is No. 10 on the franchise’s all-time list for managerial victories behind Jerry Manuel (204).
Terry Collins was the last Mets manager to reach 200 victories.
A.J. Ewing stole two bases Friday for the first multi-steal game of his career.
Ewing began the day with seven stolen bases.
Mookie Wilson owns the Mets rookie record for stolen bases with 24.
Lee Mazzilli (22) and Gregg Jefferies (21) are next on the list.
