Jorge Polanco returns from long IL stint to find Mets team in shambles

There was a time this season when it seemed the Mets were waiting to get their high-priced, veteran players healthy in order to get them in the lineup and make a run at salvaging the season.Jorge Polanco was a part of that group when he went down with a right wrist contusion April 14.Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets.

By the time he finally returned to the Mets on Tuesday night at Citi Field, Polanco had become a face of everything that’s gone wrong for the team this year.He’s still not fully recovered from the Achilles bursitis that’s plagued him all season — and helped keep him on the IL for nearly three months — even though he was initially sidelined by the wrist injury.And even as Polanco returned, it’s only as a part-time player — as he will be limited to DH duties, at least in the short term.But beggars can’t be choosers, so the 33-year-old was back in the lineup as the Mets opened a homestand against the Royals at Citi Field.“I’m feeling good,’’ Polanco said.“I’m excited to be here.

Grateful to be back.”Polanco was signed to a two-year, $40 million contract as a piece of the offseason roster overhaul that saw the arrival of Bo Bichette, Marcus Semien and Luis Robert Jr., among others, along with departure of Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil.The results have been worse than anyone could have imagined, as by the time Polanco got back, with Robert still sidelined, a new manager greeted him.“We’re most excited about his bat right now,” interim manager Andy Green said before the game.“If he ends up at first base as time goes on, that would be great.

His bat has a lot of value for us.”Polanco being stuck at DH will likely limit the time other players — like Francisco Alvarez — will get at the position.Alvarez and Luis Torrens have split time behind the plate, with Alvarez occasionally at DH, a combination ...