Mets Notes: Updates On Bo Bichette And Juan Soto, Plus Where Things Stand With Starting Rotation

Prior to Thursday night's rubber match against the Milwaukee Brewers, Mets interim skipper Andy Green provided a few injury updates and discussed where things stand with the next time through the starting pitching rotation. 

Bo Bichette likely available off the bench

Bichette came out of Wednesday night's loss after suffering a left foot contusion while fouling off a ball. While he's not in Thursday's starting lineup (Brett Baty gets the start at third base), Green is optimistic that Bichette would be able to pinch-hit if needed.

"Overall, in a good spot. Not quite good enough to go in the lineup today, good enough to be available off the bench," Green said. "Kind of the classic contusion from smoking a ball off of your ankle, but I think he’s ultimately going to be okay. He’s optimistic that if we need him tonight, he’d get a big at-bat for us."

Juan Soto making progress

Soto was seen taking live batting practice at Citi Field on Wednesday, following that up with running drills on the field as well. 

Green said that the plan was for Soto to do more on-field work on Thursday, but Mother Nature had other plans. Still, things are so far, so good for the outfielder.

He came out well from yesterday. He felt good. He had intentions of more time on the field today, but the weather chose not to cooperate with those intentions. We’ll see how he comes out of mostly indoor activity today, and then make a determination on where we go from here tomorrow.

Robert Stock likely to make next start

Stock, a veteran right-hander, was hit hard on Wednesday, allowing seven runs on 10 hits in just 4.0 innings. The performance led to questions about whether or not Stock would make his next start, but Green strongly indicated that he would.

"Our anticipation is he’ll get the ball the next time around, but we’ll watch what happens throughout our system as well," Green said. "I think right now, that’s kind of where we’re heading."

Of course, one of the big names in the system is Jonah Tong, who has plenty of potential but has struggled during his brief stints in the big leagues. 

While his minor league stats have also been up and down this season, Tong has allowed just two earned runs over 14.1 innings in his last three combined outings, and his 3.60 ERA over his last seven outings bodes well for the right-hander as well. 

Green said that Tong is "definitely somebody that we think highly of," but it doesn't sound like the team is in a rush to have him get back up to the majors this season.

"I think he’s at his best when he’s filling up the strike zone and getting ahead in the count," Green said. "It’s not some secret sauce recipe, the stuff has always been really, really good. When he’s got velo and he fills up the strike zone, he’s good, and he’s done that more consistently recently, so we’re encouraged by that.

"We’ll continue to keep an eye on it. ... Definitely somebody that we think highly of, and we’re excited when the time comes."