Mets star is expected to rejoin the team this weekend after missing significant time with a wrist contusion. When he returns, he’ll likely be used primarily as the designated hitter, with the occasional start at first base if needed.
That’s welcome news for a lineup already stretched thin, as the Mets are still without several important offensive contributors, including Francisco Álvarez and Francisco Lindor. Polanco’s ability to hit from both sides of the plate gives manager Carlos Mendoza added flexibility when constructing his lineups—assuming Polanco can regain his form.
Before going on the injured list, the 32-year-old endured a rough start to his Mets tenure. Over his first 14 games, he slashed .179/.246/.286 with a 54 wRC+, showing little power and looking far removed from the player who helped lead Seattle to the ALCS last season.
If Polanco returns and continues to struggle, the Mets may be forced into some difficult roster decisions. Jared Young has been productive against right-handed pitching, while Mark Vientos has shown he can handle a share of the workload at first base and designated hitter, particularly against left-handed arms.
There’s also the possibility that the organization looks to its farm system for a spark. Ryan Clifford has been on a tear in Triple-A and could be the next option if the Mets decide to lean further into a youth movement during a challenging season.
Clifford’s profile remains familiar: big power paired with plenty of swing-and-miss. Through May, he launched 13 home runs and posted a .483 slugging percentage, though his strikeout rate sat above 34% and his batting average hovered at .229. Some of the plate-discipline gains he showed in 2025 have faded, but that regression has coincided with his adjustment to Triple-A pitching after last year’s promotion.
Encouragingly, May marked a turning point. Clifford crushed eight home runs during the month and trimmed his strikeout rate to below 30%. Since a particularly rough stretch from May 12–14, when he struck out 10 times in three games, the 22-year-old has lowered that mark to a far more manageable 22.7%—an acceptable rate for a hitter with his power upside.
After a stretch in which younger players began taking on larger roles across the roster, the Mets may feel it’s time to reward their hottest minor-league bat. If Polanco can’t stabilize the designated hitter spot, Clifford could soon get his opportunity to prove himself in New York.