The Mets placed infielder Jonathan Villar on the 10-day injured list with a sore right calf, per MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo. In a corresponding move, Travis Blankenhorn has been recalled from Triple-A. The Mets officially made the move after Game 1 of Friday’s doubleheader against the Phillies.
Villar was somewhat of an afterthought as a winter addition this past offseason, but injuries to Jeff McNeil and J.D. Davis thrust Villar into a central role. Villar has started 47 of the Mets’ 70 games, mostly at third base, a position he hadn’t played since 2016. He’s been passable defensively, if not exactly a revelation with -2 outs above average and -1 defensive runs saved. Villar has long been considered a subpar defender, but capable enough and versatile, which is more or less exactly what he’s been on that end for the Mets this season.
Where Villar typically hopes to add the most value is on the offensive end. He’s delivered with a .246/.333/.410 line through 208 plate appearances, good for a 110 wRC+. Villar’s bat will be missed, though McNeil’s recent return should provide enough thump to maintain the status quo — if not improve upon it.
Luis Guillorme will likely take on some of Villar’s responsibilities. Despite a mark of -3 DRS in just 72 2/3 innings at third base this season, Guillorme is considered to be a glove-first contributor who should ultimately bolster the Mets defense in Villar’s absence. He doesn’t, however, offer as much with the bat. That said, he’s certainly been decent enough with a career 99 wRC+ and 118 wRC+ mark in 62 plate appearances this year.
Blankenhorn, 24, could also be an option. The well-traveled Blankenhorn has often seen his name scrawled across the MLBTR pages this season. Since being recalled to the Twins active roster on April 20, Blankenhorn was optioned, designated for assignment, claimed by the Dodgers, designated for assignment, claimed by the Mariners, optioned, DFA’d again, claimed by the Mets and optioned again. The Pennsylvania native made a pretty good argument for keeping him permanently on the Mets roster, however, by slashing .389/.538/.944 in 26 plate appearances spanning seven games for the Syracuse Mets.
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