[go: up one dir, main page]

Mets call up Luisangel Acuña as they battle Braves for wild-card spot

Luisangel Acuña is a younger brother of Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr.
New York Mets second baseman Luisangel Acuna throws to first during the second inning of a spring training baseball game against the Washington Nationals Monday, Feb. 26, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Credit: AP

Credit: AP

New York Mets second baseman Luisangel Acuna throws to first during the second inning of a spring training baseball game against the Washington Nationals Monday, Feb. 26, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

The Braves and Mets are fighting for the National League’s final wild-card spot and New York will be the only team with an Acuña on the field now.

The Mets recalled infielder Luisangel Acuña from Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday and put him in the starting lineup for his major league debut. He had a pair of singles for New York, which lost to the Phillies 6-4. It was just the Mets’ third loss in the last 15 games.

Acuña, a younger brother of Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr., hit .258 with 40 steals while splitting time among second base, shortstop and center field with Syracuse.

Ronald Acuña, meanwhile, is out for the season after suffering a torn left ACL. The All-Star outfielder also tore his right ACL in July 2021.

New York Mets' Luisangel Acuna singles during the second inning of a spring training baseball game against the Washington Nationals Monday, Feb. 26, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Credit: AP

icon to expand image

Credit: AP

Luisangel Acuña, 22, was in the lineup at shortstop on Saturday at Philadelphia, batting ninth. Acuña recorded his first hit with a single to center field leading off the fourth and started the ninth with a single to center.

Acuña was promoted one day after All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor left Friday night’s 11-3 victory against the Phillies in the seventh inning because of lower back soreness. Manager Carlos Mendoza said the move was precautionary.

Acuña came to the Mets when New York traded Max Scherzer to Texas in July 2023.

The Mets are in a race against the Braves, Arizona and San Diego for three NL wild cards.