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MINNEAPOLIS — The Mets will have one less center field option for an extended stretch after tests on Monday revealed Jose Siri has a fractured left tibia.
Siri underwent an MRI exam and CT scan on his shin after initial X-rays on Saturday were negative.
Siri fouled a ball off his shin, forcing him to leave Saturday’s game. Unable to put weight on the leg, he has been on crutches since.
“I didn’t think it was that serious to be a fracture,” Siri said through an interpreter after the Mets’ 5-1 victory over the Twins at Target Field.
Siri said he hasn’t received a timetable for recovery.
Tyrone Taylor had been sharing center field duties with Siri and would stand to receive the bulk of the playing time, but the team has a variety of options.
Luisangel Acuña, who has played center field in the minor leagues, would be a possibility.
“Mendy told me at any given moment to be ready if they need me out in center field,” Acuña said through an interpreter, referring to manager Carlos Mendoza. “It’s just my job to be prepared for any situation.”
Mendoza said no decision had been reached on how the Mets will fill Siri’s roster spot.
Siri arrived in an offseason trade with the Rays to bring Gold Glove-caliber defense to the position along with speed on the bases. Offensively, Siri has struggled for most of his career. He was off to a .050/.208/.100 start in 24 plate appearances this season.
“We feel good with what we have here,” Mendoza said. “Tyrone Taylor will get a lot of opportunities, we’ll prepare [Jesse] Winker to get more and obviously [Starling] Marte. We feel good with our outfield depth. It’s unfortunate for Siri, but we like what we have got here.”
Sean Manaea, following a recent MRI exam, has resumed throwing after a two-week layoff, according to Mendoza.
The left-hander, who is rehabbing from an oblique strain that he sustained in February, will still need a full spring training buildup — placing his potential return into late May or early June.
Ronny Mauricio, who missed all of last season rehabbing from surgery to repair a torn ACL, is scheduled to receive his first game action since 2023 on Tuesday as the DH in an extended spring training game, according to Mendoza.
Jeff McNeil will remain with Single-A St. Lucie in his rehab from a strained oblique until Thursday before heading to Triple-A Syracuse, according to Mendoza.
Francisco Alvarez’s rehab stint will shift to Double-A Binghamton on Tuesday instead of Triple-A Syracuse, as originally planned, because of weather concerns, according to Mendoza.
Alvarez played three games for Single-A St. Lucie last week to begin his rehab following surgery for a broken hamate bone in his left hand.
Paul Blackburn is scheduled to throw a second live batting practice session on Tuesday as he rehabs from right knee inflammation.
Mendoza said the goal is to build up the right-hander to 65-70 pitches before he returns from the injured list.
