Overview

• New York removed Brett Baty before the second inning in Miami with right-side soreness after he grimaced on a first-inning swing and subsequent throw, and Ronny Mauricio took over at third base.
• One day earlier, Baty started at third against a left-handed Cubs starter, made a highlight defensive play and hit a three-run homer in an 8-5 win that preserved the Mets’ position in the race.
• The Mets are tied with the Reds for the final NL wild-card spot, with Cincinnati holding the tiebreaker and the Diamondbacks one game back.
• Manager Carlos Mendoza recently criticized Mark Vientos for failing to make a ‘routine’ play after a costly error versus the Cubs, intensifying scrutiny of his third-base decisions.
• Fans have pushed for Baty to be the everyday third baseman and Vientos to DH, citing Vientos’ defensive issues and weak September, while bullpen lapses — including a Clay Holmes wild pitch and failure to cover home — also fueled a prior loss.