Struggling 2B sits again vs. a lefty, though Mendoza continues to call him starter
LONDON — Jeff McNeil’s hiatus from the starting lineup continued Saturday into the London Series opener against the Phillies, as McNeil found himself on the Mets’ bench for a fourth consecutive game. Ostensibly still the starting second baseman, McNeil has nonetheless been out of the lineup for five of the team’s past seven games.
“I don’t have a choice,” McNeil said, referring to manager Carlos Mendoza. “He makes the lineup, and I respect that, and I’ll be ready to go.”
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Although Mendoza has referred to McNeil as “our second baseman” and routinely dismissed talk that this is a platoon, the manager’s actions have spoken louder than his words since veteran infielder Jose Iglesias joined the roster late last week. Since that time, the Mets have faced five left-handed starters and two right-handers. Iglesias has played against every lefty, while McNeil has started the other two games.
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