New York Mets' Jesse Winker (3) is greeted by Francisco Alvarez (4) after scoring on a double hit by Brandon Nimmo off Washington Nationals pitcher Eduardo Salazar during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Washington, Monday, April 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)

Mets DH Jesse Winker expected to miss 6-8 weeks with a Grade 2 oblique injury

PHOENIX (AP) — New York Mets designated hitter Jesse Winker is expected to miss six to eight weeks with a Grade 2 oblique strain, manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed on Monday.

Mendoza also said reliever A.J. Minter will have season-ending surgery next Monday because of a torn lat muscle. Minter had a 1.64 ERA in 13 appearances this season.

Infielder Brett Baty will take Winker’s spot on the big league roster after being called up from Triple-A Syracuse.

Winker left the first game of Sunday’s doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals because of right side discomfort. He got hurt making a throw to the plate in the third inning during his first start of the season in left field after getting nearly all his playing time this year in a DH platoon with Starling Marte.

The 25-year-old Baty hit .204 with one homer and four RBIs for the Mets earlier this season.

New York Mets’ Jesse Winker runs the bases after hitting a home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Monday, April 21, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

“The fact that he can play some second base, obviously can play third, lefty bat,” Mendoza said. “He allows me to rotate the DH a little more.”

The 31-year-old Winker, a left-handed hitter, is batting .239 with one homer and 10 RBIs this season.

New York Mets relief pitcher A.J. Minter throws during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Saturday, April 26, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
New York Mets relief pitcher A.J. Minter (33) leaves a baseball game with a trainer during the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals, Saturday, April 26, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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