Mets manager Carlos Mendoza spoke with reporters on Wednesday ahead of the team's game against the Cincinnati Reds to discuss a number of topics...
Messaging to team amid mental mistakes
During Tuesday's 7-2 loss, starting pitcher David Peterson failed to back up home plate, allowing the runner to advance to third base after Bo Bichette's throw got by catcher Luis Torrens.
The mental mistake was a bad look not just for Peterson, but the coaching staff as well. Because of the error, Mendoza was asked if his and the staff's messaging isn't getting through to the players.
"No, not at all," Mendoza said. "You hate to see it, obviously. It can't happen, especially at this level. Physical mistakes are going to happen, but mental mistakes, especially when you're not playing well.
"As far as the messaging from my end, I know for sure, and the coaching staff and the way we hold people accountable, it doesn't necessarily have to be in front of the camera. As far as the messaging is received, there's not concern there."
Mendoza was then asked what specifically is reinforcing the belief that the messaging is being received, saying it's more clear off the field.
"It's everything behind the scenes, but until we go out there and do it and play better," Mendoza said. "For me to say something here, we got to go out and do it."
The team will need to show it soon as they are currently riding a five-game losing streak and have gone 2-7 since taking the Subway Series from the Yankees.
Plan for Polanco
Jorge Polancoplayed his first rehab game on Wednesday with Double-A Binghamton, going 1-for-2 with a single as he nears a return to the majors.
Mendoza outlined a plan for Polanco over the next couple of days, hoping to see the veteran be able to play one day in the field and the next at DH.
"The good thing is he started his rehab today, played a couple of at-bats, I think he's off tomorrow," Mendoza said. "Then the plan is for him to DH and hopefully get him back-to-back, three or four innings at first base.
"And now, once we get to that point, it's more of like, alright, playing seven innings in the field, going back-to-back, full nine innings as DH. How is he going to feel the next day after he gets four, five at-bats and is on the bases? Today, he was able to get on base and run around a little bit. So now it's, how is he going to feel tomorrow and then we'll go from there."
Polanco has been out since April 14 as he recovers from Achilles bursitis and a wrist injury.
The team ramped up his baseball activities in recent days so he would be ready to see game action, but Mendoza acknowledged that the 32-year-old's goal is to manage the injuries and not have "bad days."
"Yes, it's to a point where he's not going to be 100 percent," Mendoza said. "But as he went through the intensity, the running the bases, the sprinting, and all that, the next day it's like, 'Hey, it's not getting any worse. I feel better.' The biggest thing that it wasn't getting any worse and he was able to manage it. It's like, 'I'm good to go now.'"
Polanco was hitting just .179 with one home run and two RBI over 56 at-bats prior to landing on the injured list.
