Ronny Mauricio maintains roster spot despite Mark Vientos Mets return

Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets.PITTSBURGH — Mark Vientos’ return from the injured list Friday wasn’t enough to dislodge a rookie infielder from his roster spot.Ronny Mauricio was certainly vulnerable, given the Mets’ abundance of infield options and the need to provide him with regular playing time after he missed last season rehabbing multiple knee surgeries.

But the club instead chose to option Jared Young to Triple-A Syracuse.Mauricio, who was in the starting lineup as the second baseman in the Mets’ ugly 9-1 loss to the Pirates, may have saved his roster spot with a 5-for-13 spurt over the Mets’ previous three games.He was 1-for-3, including 0-for-2 with runners in scoring position, with a walk and a strikeout on Friday.Carlos Mendoza started Vientos (0-for-4 with two strikeouts) as the DH, with Brett Baty (2-for-4) at third base.

The manager is optimistic there are still enough at-bats to be found for Mauricio, who began play with a .226/.273/.403 slash line with three homers and 21 strikeouts in 62 at-bats.“Keeping a guy like Mauricio that can provide some type of versatility, the way he has been playing of late, we feel there’s going to be enough at-bats for him to keep him on the roster,” Mendoza said.“Brett Baty continues to play well, so we just feel like we are better as of right now with the way the roster is constructed.”Young, who served as left-handed DH, owned a .171/.227/.415 slash line with three homers and four RBIs in 41 at-bats.Jeff McNeil’s adaptation to playing center field has created opportunities for Mauricio at second base.

Mauricio also can play third and shortstop.“Our goal is to win baseball games but also understanding that we have a lot of young players that need development,” Mendoza said, noting that Francisco Alvarez and Luisangel Acuña were optioned to Syracuse in the past week.“As long as w...