(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Daniel Vogelbach was supposed to be a useful piece for the New York Mets this year as a guy who can play first base, designated hitter, and serve as a pinch hitter late in games.
After all, he hit 18 home runs in just 130 games last year with a solid .793 OPS with two teams.
Things have been very, very different this time around, though.
Vogelbach’s OPS is down to .639, he has just two homers after 47 games, and hasn’t played since June 7.
On Wednesday, Mets insider Mike Puma explained Vogelbach’s situation on Twitter.
“Late last week Mets brass decided to give Daniel Vogelbach a mental break of sorts and not play him for a stretch as he works toward trying to get on track. It has left the bench short for the last few games, including last night when Luis Guillorme remained in to hit in the 9th,” he said.
Late last week Mets brass decided to give Daniel Vogelbach a mental break of sorts and not play him for a stretch as he works toward trying to get on track. It has left the bench short for the last few games, including last night when Luis Guillorme remained in to hit in the 9th.
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) June 14, 2023
It’s curious how the Mets have preferred to play short-handed before giving Vogelbach’s roster spot to somebody else or placing him on the injured list.
One of the reasons why the Mets offense has struggled to impress this season has been Vogelbach, but he is far from the only culprit.
A career .745 OPS hitter with a solid 15.9 percent walk rate, Vogelbach is more than capable of bouncing back at least to some extent.
It might require some time, but he has it in him.
Will the Mets wait for him as they try to benefit from his excellent plate discipline?
It’s an important question that will likely have an answer of some sorts soon enough.
The post Mets Insider Reveals A Unique Break For Daniel Vogelbach appeared first on The Cold Wire.