Carlos Mendoza dealt Mets roster challenge with Juan Soto, Jorge Polanco banged up

SAN FRANCISCO — The Mets active roster might be 24 ½ players instead of 26.With Juan Soto getting evaluated Tuesday to determine if his right calf requires an injured list stint, and Jorge Polanco playing on a gimpy left ankle, manager Carlos Mendoza admitted Saturday that maneuverability is a challenge.Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets.

“Every year you know that you’re going to be in situations like this where guys are going to be grinding and playing through something,” Mendoza said before the Mets blanked the Giants 9-0 at Oracle Park.Polanco — who was 0-for-5 amid a 12-hit game for the Mets — returned to Saturday’s lineup as the DH after sitting the previous night.It was the second time in four games that Polanco’s left Achilles tendinitis necessitated him receiving a rest.But Mendoza is comfortable managing the situation with Polanco.“There’s going to be days where he feels it more,” Mendoza said.

“We have got two players that are a little bit limited, but that is part of it.”Brooks Raley has four scoreless relief appearances this season.The lefty reliever has pitched to a 2.15 ERA in 34 games for the Mets since returning last year from Tommy John surgery.

Over that stretch, left-handed hitters are 3-for-35 (.086) against him.Overall, he has recorded 30 strikeouts and walked six over that stretch.

His last home run allowed was Aug.13, 2023, against the Diamondbacks.After snapping an 0-for-20 skid a night earlier, Marcus Semien delivered three hits Friday, including his first homer in a Mets uniform.“The beginning of the season is always going to be tough, no matter what,” said Semien, who was 2-for-3 with a run scored on Saturday.

“Pitchers are always going to be ahead of the hitters.We’re working extremely hard in the cage to make sure we feel good in the box.”After a quiet five-game stretch to begin his Mets career,...