Winker has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 oblique strain and is expected to miss the next 6-to-8 weeks, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.
This is unfortunate news for Winker, who was officially placed on the 10-day injured list Monday after suffering a side injury during the first game of Sunday's twin bill against the Cardinals. The injury will open up plenty of opportunities for Starling Marte and Brett Baty in the DH slot.
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Mets' Jesse Winker: Officially lands on 10-day IL
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The Mets placed Winker on the 10-day injured list Monday with a right oblique strain.
Winker suffered the injury Sunday during the first game of a doubleheader in St. Louis. The severity of the strain has now been revealed, but oblique injuries often results in longer than minimum stays on the IL. Starling Marte should soak up extra starts at designated hitter while Winker is out.
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Mets' Jesse Winker: Likely headed to IL
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Winker (side) is expected to be placed on the injured list, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Winker suffered a right side injury in the Mets' Game 1 loss to St. Louis on Sunday, and he will require additional testing back in New York. The outfielder may be dealing with an oblique issue, which typically leads to a stint on the injured list. In his absence, Starling Marte stands to see more usage at designated hitter with the Mets.
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Mets' Jesse Winker: Getting checked for oblique strain
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Manager Carlos Mendoza said Sunday after the Mets' 6-5 loss to the Cardinals in the first game of a doubleheader that Winker (side) will undergo an MRI, Andrew Tredinnick of The Bergen Record reports.
Winker walked and delivered an RBI sacrifice fly in his two plate appearances in Game 1 before being pulled from the contest prior to the bottom of the fourth inning due to right side discomfort. Mendoza noted that Winker -- who suffered the injury while throwing to home plate in the bottom of the third inning -- will be sent in for tests as the Mets look to determine whether he suffered an oblique strain. Winker won't be available for the second game of the twin bill Sunday, and his availability for the Mets' three-game series in Arizona that begins Monday also seems to be in doubt.
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Mets' Jesse Winker: Leaves with side tightness
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Winker was lifted from the first game of Sunday's doubleheader with the Cardinals ahead of the bottom of the fourth inning due to right side discomfort, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Winker drew a walk in the first inning and hit an RBI sacrifice fly in the third, but it's unclear if he picked up the injury on any of his swings or while he was playing defense in left field. Regardless, Winker will be on the bench for the rest of the matinee, and his availability for the nightcap would seem to be in doubt. Jeff McNeil shifted from second base to left field in the bottom of the fourth upon Winker's removal from the game.
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Mets' Jesse Winker: Crosses plate four times Monday
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Winker went 2-for-4 with two walks, four runs scored and an RBI in Monday's rout of the Nationals.
The Mets combined for 21 hits and 19 runs, and Winker was right in the middle of the offensive eruption as the cleanup hitter. The 31-year-old is beginning to climb out of his early-season hole at the plate, and over his last nine games he's batting .276 (8-for-29) with three doubles, a homer, three RBI and seven runs while working on the strong side of a platoon at DH with Starling Marte.
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Mets' Jesse Winker: Sitting versus southpaw
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Winker is not in the Mets' starting lineup against the Nationals on Sunday.
Winker will begin Sunday's game in the dugout while the Nationals send southpaw Mitchell Parker to the mound. Starling Marte will serve as the Mets' designated hitter and bat fifth. Winker has gone 4-for-14 with one walk, two runs scored and a solo homer over his last five games.
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Mets' Jesse Winker: Idle vs. lefty
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Winker is not in the Mets' starting lineup against the Cardinals on Saturday.
With St. Louis sending southpaw Matthew Liberatore to the mound, Winker will begin Saturday's contest on the bench while Starling Marte serves as the designated hitter and bats fifth. Winker has started the season slashing .184/.238/.368 with six RBI across 42 plate appearances.
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Mets' Jesse Winker: Not in Thursday's lineup
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Winker is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game against the Cardinals, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Winker had started two of the last three games against righties, but he'll take a seat Thursday versus right-hander Andre Pallante, who has reverse splits. Starling Marte will be at designated hitter and bat sixth.
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Mets' Jesse Winker: Not starting Tuesday
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Winker is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Twins.
The veteran slugger returned to the lineup Monday after sitting out a few days due to flu-like symptoms, but he's back on the bench Tuesday despite the fact Minnesota is sending a righty (Bailey Ober) to the mound. Winker isn't reported to be dealing with any further issues, and he could just be getting some extra rest after recovering from the ailment. Starling Marte is receiving another turn at designated hitter in his place.
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Mets' Jesse Winker: Back in lineup Monday
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Winker (illness) will serve as the Mets' designated hitter and No. 6 batter in Monday's game against the Twins.
Winker hadn't been included in the New York lineup for any of the previous five games while recovering from flu-like symptoms. After checking out fine following a pinch-hitting appearance in Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Athletics and then resting in Sunday's 8-0 win in the series finale, Winker has now been given the green light to make his first start in a week. A healthy Winker should continue to occupy the strong side of a platoon at designated hitter, while Starling Marte draws the majority of the starts versus left-handed pitching.
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Mets' Jesse Winker: Battling illness
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Winker has been on the bench for five straight games while dealing with flu-like symptoms, Tim Britton of the Athletic reports.
The 31-year-old was able to pinch hit Saturday, so the Mets don't seem to be contemplating an IL stint for Winker. He's batting .200 (5-for-25) to begin the season and is still looking for his first home run, but he should return to the strong side of a platoon at DH once healthy.
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Mets' Jesse Winker: Losing work to Marte
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Winker isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Athletics.
Saturday will be the fourth straight game Winker has missed following a 5-for-24 start at the plate. All of his reps have been going to Starling Marte, who will work as New York's DH on Saturday while batting fifth.
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Mets' Jesse Winker: Sitting again versus righty
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Winker is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Marlins.
This marks Winker's second straight absence from lineup against a right-handed pitcher. Starling Marte reached base three times and drove in two runs Tuesday and will be rewarded with another start at designated hitter in Wednesday's series finale.
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Mets' Jesse Winker: Exiting lineup Tuesday
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Winker is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Marlins.
Though he typically starts against right-handed pitchers like the Marlins' Connor Gillispie, the left-handed-hitting Winker will check out of the lineup Tuesday to open up the designated-hitter role for Starling Marte. Winker has gotten off to a sluggish start to the season, hitting .208 with three extra-base hits (two triples, one double), four RBI and a 3:7 BB:K over 27 plate appearances.
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Mets' Jesse Winker: Three extra-base hits in win
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Winker went 3-for-4 with a double, two triples and two RBI in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Blue Jays.
Winker's third extra-base hit and second triple of the game was the crucial knock in Saturday's win -- he launched a two-out, two-strike pitch from left-hander Brendon Little off the right-field fence to drive in a pair of runs, tying the game 2-2. Winker is now 5-for-17 (.294) with four RBI to start the year while holding down the strong side of a platoon at DH.
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Mets' Jesse Winker: Absent from lineup
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Winker is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Blue Jays, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.
It's right-hander Kevin Gausman on the hill for Toronto, but the left-handed hitting Winker will yield to righty Starling Marte at designated hitter. Winker is off to a 2-for-13 start at the plate this season for the Mets.
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Mets' Jesse Winker: Sitting against right-hander
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Winker is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Marlins.
Though right-hander Cal Quantrill is on the bump for Miami, the left-handed-hitting Winker will take a seat, despite starting in both of the Mets' previous two matchups with righties. Starling Marte will step in for Winker as the Mets' DH and will handle leadoff duties.
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Mets' Jesse Winker: Nursing calf cramp
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Winker exited Monday's Grapefruit League contest versus the Rays due to a calf cramp, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza indicated that Winker's removal was precautionary, adding that the 31-year-old "should be OK." Winker -- who was retired in his lone plate appearance Monday -- is sporting an .805 OPS this spring and projects to open the season as the Mets' primary designated hitter against right-handed pitching.
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Mets' Jesse Winker: Re-ups with NYM
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The Mets agreed to terms on a contract with Winker on Thursday, Andy Martino of SNY.tv reports.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post says it's a one-year, $7.5 million deal that could reach $9 million if Winker hits incentives. Winker had a solid bounce-back showing in 2024 between the Nationals and Mets, collecting a .764 OPS with 14 homers and 14 steals during the regular season before adding another long ball and a 1.168 OPS in 10 postseason contests. The 31-year-old should see fairly regular reps against righties between designated hitter and left field.
