PHILADELPHIA — A little less than five months after landing on the injured list due to a broken left tibia, Jose Siri has returned to the Mets.
The team activated Siri from the 60-day injured list Tuesday and immediately inserted him into the starting lineup, playing center field. With fellow right-handed center fielder Tyrone Taylor on the IL, Siri should start most days when the Mets are facing a left-handed pitcher.
To clear roster space, the Mets optioned utilityman Jared Young to Triple-A Syracuse and designated reliever Wander Suero for assignment.
An offseason trade acquisition from Tampa Bay, Siri hit .050/.208/.100 in 10 games before breaking his leg. Due to a slow healing process, Siri did not begin a rehab assignment until late last month. But he ramped up quickly from there, batting .269/.321/.462 in eight Minor League games.
Back with the Mets, Siri offers a potential solution to the team’s season-long center field woes. Taylor’s down season and Siri’s injury have forced the Mets to rely heavily on Jeff McNeil, who has performed well but is not a natural center fielder. Although the team acquired Cedric Mullins at the Trade Deadline to take some pressure off McNeil, Mullins has produced just a .566 OPS since joining the Mets.
Siri, who possesses a unique blend of power, speed and defensive aptitude, hit 43 homers and stole 26 bases with the Rays from 2023-24. He also struck out in 37% of his plate appearances.
