New York Mets DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

New York Mets third baseman Mark Vientos continued his encouraging season in Monday's 8-7 win over the Nationals, going 2-for-3 with a single, a solo home run, and two walks. The 24-year-old ambushed a fourth-inning MacKenzie Gore fastball and deposited it into the center-field bullpen for his fifth HR of the season. Vientos has started to earn regular playing time by producing offensively with a .339/.409/.661 slash line and 10 RBI in 66 plate appearances. Fantasy managers in re-draft leagues should be cautious with Vientos until he proves he can produce consistently, but his power promise as a prospect has started to show at the big leagues.

New York Mets middle infielder Jose Iglesias had a nice day at the plate in Monday's 8-7 win over the Nationals. Iglesias went 3-for-4 with three singles, an RBI, and a stolen base. The 34-year-old veteran was called up from Triple-A Syracuse last Friday and has gone 5-for-11 while playing at both second base and shortstop. Iglesias has been a useful fantasy player at times throughout his career and put together a respectable .273/.309/.442 slash line in 175 plate appearances with Syracuse before getting called up. Fantasy managers should wait to see his role more clearly defined before considering him, but he may be able to earn playing time if he continues to hit well, given the Mets' struggles.

New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (thumb), who is recovering from surgery on his thumb, will not join the Mets in London this weekend against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies. However, the Mets are hopeful that Alvarez can return from the 10-day injured list on their ensuing homestand that begins next Tuesday, June 11, against the visiting Miami Marlins. The 22-year-old backstop has been out since April 20 due to a fractured left thumb, but the Mets and fantasy managers are about to get him back soon. When healthy, Alvarez is the Mets' unquestioned starter behind the plate, although they could ease him back into big-league action when he returns next week. So far on his minor-league rehab assignment with Double-A Binghamton, Alvarez has gone 2-for-8 with a homer and two walks. He should not be floating around on any waiver wires with his return imminent.

New York Mets third baseman Brett Baty went 2-for-4 with two long balls and three RBI. Baty recently returned to Triple-A Syracuse on May 31 after posting a poor .225/.304/.325 line with just four home runs through 49 games in Queens this season. The 24-year-old was once a highly regarded prospect in New York but has yet to produce on a consistent level in the major leagues. The former 12th overall pick will continue to stay at Triple-A for the foreseeable future to build up some confidence while Mark Vientos holds down the hot corner in the majors. Sunday was a great step in that direction and more performances such as that could open up a buy-low window on Baty in dynasty leagues. For now, he is not worth rostering in redraft formats.

New York Mets reliever Jake Diekman (1-2) was tagged with the loss after he blew his second save opportunity during Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Diekman gave up a 439-foot homer to Ketel Marte in the top of the ninth, giving the Diamondbacks the lead for good. He has a 1-2 record, a 4.26 ERA, and a 1.32 WHIP as the Mets struggle to find a reliable ninth-inning stopper in the wake of Edwin Diaz's (shoulder) trip to the 15-day injured list. The return of Drew Smith (shoulder) from the injured list on Monday could provide fantasy managers a short-term option should the Mets choose to give Smith an opportunity. The Mets will likely use Reed Garrett or Adam Ottavino as the primary closing option until Diaz can return, making Diekman or Smith mainly options in NL-Only leagues.