The New York Mets roster has been missing Jorge Polanco for nearly a month, but the club has kept a first base option in the organization after a recent transaction.
Infielder Eric Wagaman has cleared waivers and been sent outright to Triple-A. The Mets designated the veteran for assignment on Sunday, May 3. Vidal Brujan took Wagaman’s spot on the big-league roster. Brujan was promoted to fill a void at shortstop after Ronny Mauricio broke his thumb.
The Mets roster has been without Polanco since mid-April. He was supposed to be New York’s replacement at first base for Pete Alonso, who signed with the Baltimore Orioles. Instead, the club has been forced to rely on Mark Vientos and Brett Baty, among others. The Mets have the sixth-lowest OPS in the league at first base. Polanco is currently on the injured list with a wrist issue, but now he’s had a setback with his Achilles, per Mike Puma of the New York Post.
New York Mets Roster News: Eric Wagaman Clears Waivers, Sent to Triple-A
This is the first time Wagaman has been outrighted off the roster. He doesn’t have enough service time to reject the assignment and elect free agency. He’ll head to Syracuse and wait for his next opportunity in the big leagues. The 28-year-old arrived in New York after he was designated for assignment by the Minnesota Twins. The Mets submitted a claim and were awarded the first baseman. No club stepped in to claim Wagaman this time around.
Wagaman first debuted with the Los Angeles Angels in 2024. He played sparingly for the club. The Miami Marlins gave him a full-time gig last season. Wagaman hit .250 with nine home runs across 514 plate appearances with the Fish. He didn’t deliver the normal power of a corner infielder, but the righty made contact at an above-average clip (19.5% strikeout rate) and chipped in four stolen bases.
After a slow start in Triple-A this year, Wagaman heated up with the Mets. He slashed a woeful .159/.284/.254 with Minnesota’s top minor league affiliate. Wagaman has picked up three hits and five RBI in his brief time at Syracuse.
Polanco Suffers Achilles Flare-Up, Timeline Unclear
Polanco was in and out of the lineup in April due to Achilles bursitis. He was limited to DH reps as he nursed the injury. Polanco didn’t go on the IL with the Achilles problem. Instead, it was a wrist injury that ultimately sidelined him. Manager Carlos Mendoza recently revealed that Polanco is not nearing a rehab assignment.
The Polanco injury has allowed Vientos to step into regular playing time. The 26-year-old has delivered a decent 95 wRC+, but his power has fallen off. Vientos has hit five home runs in 116 plate appearances. He’s cut his strikeout rate to 22.4%, but he also has a sub-.200 ISO for the second consecutive year.
Vientos has been an adequate defender at first base. After posting a brutal -10 Defensive Runs Saved at third base in 2025, the infielder has posted a neutral performance at the cold corner. First base might be the answer for Vientos moving forward, at least on defense.
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