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New York Mets Make Unusual Request of Major League Baseball with Regards to Infielder

The New York Mets have made an unusual request of Major League Baseball about Jeff McNeil.

Brady Farkas

New York Mets right fielder Jeff McNeil (1) hits an RBI single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning at Petco Park on Aug 22.
New York Mets right fielder Jeff McNeil (1) hits an RBI single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning at Petco Park on Aug 22. / Orlando Ramirez-Imagn Images
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The New York Mets have made an unusual request of Major League Baseball with regards to infielder Jeff McNeil.

Per Anthony Dicomo of MLB.com on social media:

The Mets are petitioning Major League Baseball to allow Jeff McNeil to appear in Arizona Fall League games. That would get him the live pitching he needs to see before activation.

The 32-year-old hasn't played since Sept. 6 because of injury and the AFL would give him a chance to get some real at-bats in a rehab setting. Obviously, the minor league season is over so that's not an option. The opportunity for simulated games could exist, but it isn't really known at this point how realistic that is. Most pitchers that aren't on the active roster have been shut down.

A seven-year veteran, McNeil is hitting .238 this year with 12 homers and 44 RBI. He provides the Mets with some versatility at second base, third base and in the outfield. A former batting champion (2021), McNeil is a .289 career hitter. He hit .326 in that 2021 season and also hit a career-high 23 homers back in 2019. He's a two-time All-Star.

The Mets are currently deadlocked in a 1-1 series with the Philadelphia Phillies. Game 3 will be played on Tuesday afternoon in Philadelphia. Should the Mets win, they'll take on either the Los Angeles Dodgers or the San Diego Padres in the National League Championship series.

The Mets will send left-hander Sean Manaea to the mound on Tuesday against Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola. First pitch is set for 5:08 p.m. ET at Citi Field.

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Brady Farkas
BRADY FARKAS

Brady Farkas is a baseball writer for Fastball on Sports Illustrated/FanNation and the host of 'The Payoff Pitch' podcast which can be found on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Videos on baseball also posted to YouTube. Brady has spent nearly a decade in sports talk radio and is a graduate of Oswego State University. You can follow him on Twitter @WDEVRadioBrady. 

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