Mets Reportedly to Call Up Ronny Mauricio Amid Vientos Injury, NY's No. 9 Prospect

New York Mets third baseman and designated hitter Mark Vientos' hamstring injury could lead to Ronny Mauricio making his first MLB appearance since 2023.

The Mets plan to call up Mauricio, who is ranked as the club's No. 9 prospect by MLB Pipeline, according to MLB reporters Mike Rodriguez and Will Sammon.

Mauricio has appeared in 19 minor league games this season amid rehab from a torn right ACL he suffered ahead of the 2024 season.

His infield experience could make him a potential replacement for Vientos, whose return timeline is currently unknown after his injury during Monday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters after Monday's 4-3 win that Vientos' injury "didn't look good."

Vientos, who also missed time earlier this season with a groin injury, has batted .230 with six home runs and 21 RBI through 53 games.

After suffering a torn ACL while playing in the Dominican Winter League, Mauricio underwent an initial surgery in December 2023 and another procedure to remove scar tissue in August 2024, according to MLB.com's Anthony DiComo.

He was reinstated from the injured list and optioned on May 17 to Triple-A Syracuse, where he has since batted .515 with three home runs and eight RBI in nine games.

President of baseball operations David Stearns said last Friday that the Mets were "paying attention" to Mauricio's Triple-A surge, but wanted to give him the opportunity to get more reps before calling him up to the majors, per DiComo.

“We’re most focused on him getting the reps under him, getting the volume, hopefully continuing to swing a really hot bat... Number one is health and getting him back and building up the volume, and we’re continuing to do that,” Stearns said Friday.

Vientos' injury and potential move to IL may have moved up that timeline.

Mauricio impressed by batting .248 with two home runs and nine RBI in his 26-game stint in MLB during the final month of the Mets' 2023 season. He mostly played second base, but also appeared at shortstop and third base over that stretch.

The club will hope the 24-year-old has now had enough time to recover from his multiple knee procedures in order to find similar success during his second call-up to the majors.

Mauricio is expected to join the Mets for Tuesday night's game against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, according to MLB.com's Jason Foster. The Mets are 38-22 and currently sit 1.5 games ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies at the top of the NL East.