Jorge Polanco refocusing on his first base development as gears up to play position again
MILWAUKEE — Jorge Polanco still aspires to be the regular Mets first baseman.To that end, the veteran infielder told The Post before the 4-3 loss to the Brewers on Wednesday that he plans to begin taking grounders next week to build up toward playing the position.Polanco has served almost exclusively as a DH this season in his limited availability due to ankle discomfort.
Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets.Polanco said he hasn’t worked at first base for several weeks — he had a setback during his minor league rehab assignment and was limited to hitting.Polanco, who arrived on a two-year contract worth $40 million, was signed under the premise that he would be the team’s starting first baseman.
He has played only two games at the position.But Polanco said he doesn’t feel as if he will be learning first base all over again.“I feel better than when I first started taking ground balls at first base [in spring training],” he said.“When I come back I just have to put the work in and I just want to stay positive that everything is going to work fine.”Juan Soto received a day off (and wasn’t even considered for pinch hitting, allowing him a full 48 hours between games).
Interim manager Andy Green cited Soto’s recent work schedule, which included representing the National League in last week’s All-Star Game.Soto also had calf discomfort in the first game back after the All-Star break.“It hasn’t completely abated at this point in time, but it’s not something that is inhibiting him,” Green said.
“We are getting him right back out there [Friday].”Polanco started at DH, with Carson Benge, A.J.Ewing and Brett Baty in the outfield.
Green said Luis Robert Jr.wasn’t an option to play a third straight game in the outfield following his return from the injured list.
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