The Mets and Jeff McNeil were dealt a stunning blow Saturday: a breaking ball that McNeil thought nothing of likely has ended his season.
The Mets’ second baseman is out 4-6 weeks, the team said, with a wrist fracture after the Reds’ Brandon Williamson threw a 74-mph curveball that struck him a night earlier.
“Didn’t hurt that bad at all,” McNeil said before the rest of his team faced off against Cincinnati at Citi Field.
McNeil, whose game has elevated during a strong second half, did not want to officially proclaim himself out for the season.
“If you see me on the field again, that’s a really good thing,” said McNeil, who only theoretically could return with a deep Mets run into October.
Jose Iglesias is expected to assume the majority of second-base time, although it is at least possible that Luisangel Acuna gets a call-up sometime this month.
