New York Mets DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga (shoulder) faced live hitters on Monday for the first time since February, when he was diagnosed with a strained right shoulder capsule. Senga said he'll need to throw to live hitters two more times before going on a minor-league rehab assignment. "As long as things keep going well, I think I'll be back right around [May 27]," Senga said through an interpreter. It's something to look forward to for fantasy managers that have been stashing the 31-year-old hurler since drafting him this spring. When healthy, Senga will be New York's ace after the Japanese pitcher went 12-7 with a 2.98 ERA (3.63 FIP) and 1.22 WHIP with 77 walks and 202 strikeouts in 29 starts in his first MLB season last year.

New York Mets third baseman Brett Baty is on the bench on Monday against the visiting Chicago Cubs. Baty will take a seat against Cubs right-hander Jameson Taillon in favor of Mark Vientos, who hit a walk-off home run to help the club beat the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday. Vientos is hitting seventh for the Mets on Monday. Baty is also slumping, going 3-for-25 in his last nine games to drop his season line to .256/.322/.317 in his first 82 at-bats. The 24-year-old has added just one home run, nine RBI and nine runs scored. Vientos, who made his season debut with the Mets over the weekend, went 3-for-4 with the game-winning home run and two RBI in his first two games played. It's been a nice start, but playing time is going to be hard to come by for Vientos as long as J.D. Martinez stays healthy.

New York Mets designated hitter J.D. Martinez will return to the lineup and hit fourth on Monday against the Chicago Cubs. After coming off the bench in Sunday's 4-2 extra-innings win and flying out in a pinch-hit at-bat in the ninth inning, the veteran will start in the Mets' series opener. Martinez got a late start to the season after signing with New York in late March and dealing with a back issue a couple of weeks ago. However, he officially made his season debut on Friday, where he went 2-for-4 with one RBI and one double. Expect the 36-year-old to take some days off here and there over the next few weeks since he didn't have a spring training. Nonetheless, he's a player whom fantasy managers should be looking to pick up in fantasy, given his potential to hit 25-30 home runs atop the Mets' lineup.

New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso walked three times in Sunday's 4-2 win against the St. Louis Cardinals. Alonso had a light day while showing his plate discipline, going 0-for-2 with three walks and one strikeout. It wasn't the best showing over the weekend against St. Louis, as he went 1-for-10 with three walks and three strikeouts, but he did add on his eighth homer on Saturday, which was his 200th career blast. The 29-year-old is slashing .248/.336/.505 with three doubles, 14 RBI, 20 runs, eight homers, 12 walks and 23 strikeouts for the season. The Mets will kick off Monday with a prime matchup versus the Chicago Cubs, starting a four-game series. Fantasy managers should continue to start Alonso in all leagues.

New York Mets third baseman Mark Vientos came up clutch for the team during Sunday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals. He entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning and singled during that plate appearance. Vientos remained in the game and got another at-bat versus left-hander Matthew Liberatore in the 11th inning. He blasted a two-run home run off Liberatore to help the Mets get the 4-2 win. The 24-year-old has a chance to remain with the team if he continues to hit like this. Fantasy managers should use a wait-and-see approach for Vientos.