Mets activate outfielder Jose Siri, likely limiting opportunities for Cedric Mullins
The Mets' Jose Siri reacts after an out against the Toronto Blue Jays on Opening Day at Citi Field on Apr. 4. Credit: Jim McIsaac
PHILADELPHIA – Cedric Mullins got lost somewhere in his journey from Baltimore, and Tuesday, with the Mets reinstating outfielder Jose Siri from the injured list, it seems like his chances to find himself again might be more limited.
Mullins, acquired for his range in center and decent lefty bat, was out of the lineup against Phillies southpaw Ranger Suarez Tuesday as the Mets welcomed back Siri, who missed most of the season with a broken left tibia. Siri played in just eight rehab games before his reinstatement and should see plenty of opportunities with Tyrone Taylor on the IL with a left hamstring strain.
Manager Carlos Mendoza said Tuesday that Siri will likely see time against lefties and “Cedric will face some righties when we need to, especially when guys are tough right on right, or [righties out of the] bullpen. We’ll be aggressive in pinch hit situations and we’ll go from there…
“We’re playing the matchup.”
President of baseball operations David Stearns shipped three pitching prospects to the Orioles in exchange for Mullins, who proceeded to go completely quiet since coming to Flushing: Going into Tuesday, the career .247 hitter was slashing .174/.284/.272 with the Mets and was riding a 10-game hitless streak. He’s got one homer and eight RBIs in 30 games.
“Rough start,” Mullins said Monday after going 0-for-2. “I’m looking to find that adjustment that gets me going. It felt like I had it at one point, but it just felt like I lost it somewhere along the way…[It’s a] combination of some things – late on the fastball, chasing a little bit. [There] are some things I can clean up [in terms of] seeing the ball a little better and keep working with the swing.”
While Siri has never hit for average – he’s a career .207 batter – he does have power, swatting 25 homers in 101 games in 2023 and 18 in 130 games in 2024; his speed last year was in the 99th percentile and he’s an elite defender. He recorded 16 outs above average in 2024, also in the 99th percentile. His arm is also much stronger than Mullins’ – really the only fault in the latter’s defense.
The question is how much Siri can retain those assets after missing so much of the season, having a relatively short rehab assignment compared to how long he was out, and coming off a broken leg.
“I feel really good,” Siri said via interpreter, adding that he was surprised that he hadn’t lost his timing at the plate during his minor-league games and that the leg is “completely healed,” so speed and lateral movement shouldn’t be an issue.
“I put in a lot of work to get to this point and at this moment, I’m very excited. But at the same time, throughout this whole process, I’ve also been very calm and at peace with how the process has gone,” said Siri, who often was spotted in the dugout this season cheering on his teammates. “You know how serious [this stretch run] is. Obviously, the team hasn’t necessarily been playing as well as we can but my job is to go out there, give 100% and make sure that the vibes are high.”
This does, though, mean that there will be something of a glut in the outfield. Jeff McNeil is still expected to see some time out there when they want another lefty, Mendoza said, and Starling Marte has been one of the team’s best hitters, meaning he, too, often gets slotted into the outfield when someone else is DHing.
Then there’s Taylor, who spent the entire year being a defensively superior offensive liability…until he wasn’t. In the seven games before hitting the IL on Sept. 2, he was 10-for-21 (.476) with four doubles and six RBIs; that's nothing to scoff at, considering he routinely covered ground for both Brandon Nimmo and Juan Soto in the outfield - both of whom have limited range. Taylor is expected to play in rehab games next week, Mendoza said.
Siri, though, should be an intriguing weapon.
“We know we’re getting an elite defender and a plus-baserunner,” Mendoza said. “Even on days when he’s not in the lineup, to have a guy like that who can go out there and steal a base or score from first when you need to, it’s important, especially where we are in the schedule.”
Notes & quotes: Jared Young was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse after the game Monday. Righthander Wander Suero, claimed off of waivers last week, was designated for assignment. Righty Justin Garza was outrighted to Syracuse…There is no news yet on Tylor Megill (elbow sprain), who experienced arm tightness during his rehab outing Sunday and was sent for an MRI Monday; it’s possible his season is over.
Laura Albanese is a reporter, feature writer and columnist covering local professional sports teams; she began at Newsday in 2007 as an intern.
