Carlos Mendoza never really convinced his star right fielder he could benefit from a rest on Wednesday.
But the Mets manager had the final call, and Juan Soto was absent from the starting lineup for the first time this season during the Mets’ 4-0 loss to the Pirates in their series finale against the Pirates at Citi Field.
“It was a back-and-forth until I finally told him, ‘You’re going to be down,’ ” Mendoza said, recounting his conversation with Soto following Tuesday’s game.
Mendoza said he wanted Soto to utilize Thursday’s off-day, coupled with his night off Wednesday, to receive a thorough break.
The Mets open the Subway Series on Friday at Yankee Stadium.
Soto, according to Mendoza, was “getting after it” in the weight room on Wednesday, instead of just relaxing.
“But that says a lot of who he is as a player, as a person, that on a day when he’s not in the lineup he’s getting after it pretty good in the weight room,” the manager said before the loss.
José Azocar (0-for-1) start in right field with Starling Marte (1-for-3) as the DH.
Soto has one start as the DH this season.
Ronny Mauricio will remain in the minor leagues once his rehab assignment is complete, according to president of baseball operations David Stearns, unless the Mets have a need on the major league roster and deem the infielder ready to contribute.
Mauricio, who was elevated last weekend to Double-A Binghamton, is rehabbing from surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament and a subsequent procedure to remove scar tissue from the knee that cost him all last season.
“He’s still got a little way to go to get back to being a healthy player, to get back into that true baseball shape, ready to compete at a high level in the big leagues,” Stearns said. “It’s continuing to get him at-bats, get him reps in the minor leagues.”
Paul Blackburn will extend to about 75 pitches in his rehab start for Binghamton on Friday.
The right-hander will then receive at least one additional outing in the minor leagues before he’s considered for a return from the injured list.
Stearns said Blackburn will be built up as a starter, in case the Mets have a need in the rotation.
Otherwise, he will be available to pitch from the bullpen.
“Where he slots in when he’s ready is going to be dependent on the team need,” Stearns said.
Luisangel Acuña, who started at second base and went 0-for-3 with a walk and two strikeouts, played the final two innings in center field.
It was Acuña’s first major league appearance in the outfield.
He did not have a fielding opportunity after moving to center.
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