Mets' A.J. Ewing triples in debut, gives team glimpse of long-term outfield plans in rout of Tigers
A.J. Ewing #9 of the New York Mets flies out during the fourth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Citi Field on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Credit: Jim McIsaac
David Stearns noted the Mets wouldn’t have promoted A.J. Ewing, who played only 12 games with Triple-A Syracuse, if they didn’t believe he was ready for the jump.
But the Mets’ president of baseball operations — amid noise that bringing up the 21-year-old was a desperation move for the team that entered Tuesday with an MLB-worst 15-25 record — admitted that the situation the Mets are in now was “part of” the decision.
Tuesday night’s game was only the first of his MLB career, but Ewing — the Mets’ 2023 fourth-round selection and No. 2 prospect, per MLB.com — looked more than ready for the moment.
It was a dazzling debut for Ewing, who started in centerfield and batted eighth in a 10-2 win for the Mets over the Tigers at Citi Field. He went 1-for-2 with two RBIs — a triple in the seventh and a bases-loaded walk in the eighth — three walks, a stolen base and two runs.
“It definitely beat my expectations,” Ewing said. “It’s indescribable what it feels like to play out there in a big-league stadium. It’s great, man.”
Ewing became the first player in Mets history to record a triple in their MLB debut. He is also the first player since at least 1898 with three walks and a stolen base in his MLB debut, according to MLB.com researcher Sarah Langs.
He showed impressive plate discipline on each of his walks, fighting two-strike counts on all three. His lone out was loud: a 382-foot, 102.3-mph flyout to centerfield in the fourth.
“He was pretty much perfect at the plate today,” Carlos Mendoza said.
It truly has been a meteoric rise for Ewing, who started last year with Low-A St. Lucie and didn’t get promoted from Double-A Binghamton to Triple-A until April 27.
“I was just focused on being the best player I possibly could and dominating the level I’m at,” said Ewing, the first Met to wear No. 9 since Brandon Nimmo, who was traded for Marcus Semien in the offseason. “And the fact that it happened, I’m excited to be here and ready to go.”
Putting all the pressure on Ewing to save the season is unfair and unrealistic, but the Mets hope that Tuesday’s outfield alignment — with fellow rookie Carson Benge in rightfield and Juan Soto in left — could provide a glimpse of the future.
“It’s going to be really cool for a long time,” Soto told Newsday. “I think it’s going to be great. I can’t wait to see ourselves out there in the field.”
Both Mendoza and Stearns were asked about the trio sharing the outfield, and they made no secret of what it could mean for years to come.
“Those are two very talented young players, and Soto is one of the best players in the game,” Stearns said. “And so, yes, I think we look at that and say that could be a really productive outfield for a long time.”
Said Mendoza: “You got two guys that are just getting the first opportunity — obviously, Juan is here for a long, long time — but it could be special.”
In 30 minor-league games this year, Ewing posted a .339/.447/.514 slash line with two homers, nine doubles, two triples, 11 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. He had 87 stolen bases since the start of 2025, good for fourth in the minor leagues.
Ewing batted .381/.423/.667 in 10 spring-training games. Mendoza said “there was a lot to like from the very beginning of spring training.”
“He was just eye-opening, to be honest with you,” Mendoza said. “I had guys, some of our established players . . . come up to me, it’s like, ‘Who is this guy? Where is he going to be at?’ ”
Ewing projects as a leadoff hitter, but Mendoza said they will “let him get settled” before “hopefully he forces our hand and he’s at the top at some point.”
The plan is for Ewing, who made 52 minor-league starts at second base, to stick in centerfield. Of course, the playing time in centerfield only is available – and should be for an extended period – because Luis Robert Jr. (lumbar spine disc herniation) is sidelined with no timeline to return.
Don’t expect Ewing to be a platoon player, either.
“He’s going to play,” Mendoza said. “He’s here to play.”
Alvarez hurt again
The oft-injured Francisco Alvarez exited Tuesday’s game with a right knee injury and will undergo imaging Wednesday, the Mets said. He left in the middle of his sixth-inning at-bat after fouling off a 2-and-2, 93.6-mph fastball. He appeared to grab at his right knee and briefly was checked by a trainer and Mendoza before walking off under his own power.
“We just got to wait,” Mendoza said. “It didn’t look good on that swing, obviously.”
Alvarez missed time last year with a left hamate fracture and a right thumb UCL sprain and in 2024 with a left thumb sprain.
Ben Dickson is Newsday Sports' general assignment reporter. He joined Newsday’s high school sports staff in 2023 after graduating from Maryland, where he covered several of the Terrapins' teams.
