Buck Showalter has said he expects Mark Vientos and Brett Baty to split time at third base for much of the rest of the season, but Vientos left the Mets’ 8-7 loss to the Mariners in the eighth inning Saturday night with what the manager called a “sore right foot.”
Showalter added Vientos, who had started at third base, felt discomfort while running the bases earlier in the game.
Vientos was replaced by Jonathan Arauz at third before Baty pinch-hit in the ninth and popped out.
Baty started at third base Friday in his first game back following his recall from Triple-A Syracuse.
Vientos responded with a long home run off Luis Castillo, a line drive single and a lineout, as well as a walk, before being removed.
He has five hits and two homers in his last three games.
Showalter said he’s not sure if Edwin Diaz or Starling Marte will return from their injuries this season and the Mets won’t rush them back.
“I don’t feel strongly either of them needs to,’’ Showalter said of them getting back on the field in 2023. “There are pros and cons to both. … If it’s not in their best interest physically, it’s a bad idea.”
Diaz has missed the entire season with a knee injury he suffered during the WBC and Marte has been out for nearly a month with a right groin injury.
Showalter said Marte “looks good,” but that he remains “week-to-week.”
“Do I expect him to play again this year? I don’t have an expectation one way or the other,’’ Showalter said. “We like where he is [physically]. We’ve got to get this right for not only this year, but next year. We’ll do whatever it takes to get there. We don’t want the other option.”
The outfielder has had plenty of setbacks since he had double-groin surgery during the offseason.
He has been limited for most of the season, even when he’s been on the field.
Though Showalter said he and the Mets were encouraged by another Diaz bullpen session on Saturday, the closer is not ready to return.
“There’s some criteria that hasn’t been met,’’ Showalter said.
The manager said the Mets need to be convinced Diaz’s knee is fully healthy and that he can get off the mound quickly in a game situation.
The Mets claimed right-hander Peyton Battenfield off waivers from the Guardians and optioned him to Triple-A Syracuse.
The 26-year-old appeared in seven games (six starts) for Cleveland this season.
Battenfield had been at Triple-A Columbus, where he had a 5.66 ERA in six starts and missed time earlier in the year with right shoulder inflammation.