Mets send Luisangel Acuna to Triple-A after miserable stretch
The post Mets send Luisangel Acuna to Triple-A after miserable stretch appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. returned from a lengthy injury layoff in May. Since rejoining the Braves' lineup, the former NL MVP has been raking, posting a .396 batting average and 1.202 OPS in 27 games. His younger brother, however, has gone in the other direction, as New York Mets infielder Luisangel Acuña is mired in a dreadful slump.
Advertisement
Following the Mets 7-1 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies Sunday, Acuña was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse, according to the team's official account on X. Right-handed pitcher Tyler Zuber will join Acuña in the minors.
Acuña made his major league debut late in the 2024 season for the Mets and played well in limited action. The then-22-year-old slashed .308/.326/.641 for New York in 14 games last year. Acuña even hit his first career home run, helping the Mets in their chase for a playoff berth.
After struggles in 2025, the Mets demote Luisangel Acuña
Eric Canha-Imagn Images
This season, Acuña ended up as the Mets' Opening Day second baseman after veteran Jeff McNeil began the year on the injured list. But Acuña hasn't been able to duplicate the success of his strong September stretch with the club in 2024. He's batting .241 with a .576 OPS through 65 games in 2025.
Advertisement
However, over the last month, the Mets infielder has bottomed out. Acuña is slashing .138/.167/.138 in 23 games since May 23. That's the same day his All-Star brother returned to the Braves' lineup after missing a full year with a torn ACL. But the two Acuñas have gone in entirely different directions since then.
The elder Acuña has eight home runs since his return to Atlanta's lineup, while Luisangel Acuña's next home run will be his first of the season. He hasn't had an extra-base hit since May 2, a span of 38 games. Although, that's a bit misleading as Acuña only had 70 plate appearances in that stretch as the Mets often used him as a defensive replacement late in games.
Acuña joined the Mets as part of the Max Scherzer trade deadline deal with the Texas Rangers in 2023. He quickly became one of New York's top prospects for his speed and ability to hit for average. While he's never displayed Ronald's prodigious power, Luisangel has shown that base stealing runs in the family. Acuña swiped 57 bags in 121 Double-A games in 2023 and he stole 40 bases at the Triple-A level last season.
Related: Mets fans are already losing it over reliever's new official nickname
Related: Mets loss to Phillies ends ridiculous 28-game Francisco Lindor streak
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Washington Post
35 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Red Sox manager Alex Cora ejected after another shaky start by Walker Buehler in loss to Angels
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Alex Cora is 0 for 2 in arguing obstruction calls with umpire Alan Porter after the Boston Red Sox manager was ejected Monday night in the fifth inning of a 9-5 loss to the Los Angeles Angels, the second straight game in which Cora was tossed. Boston was trailing 5-4 when Jarren Duran doubled to lead off the fifth. Abraham Toro grounded to shortstop, but Duran hesitated before breaking for third and was tagged out in a rundown by Angels second baseman Christian Moore.
Yahoo
43 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Report: Steelers expected to sign veteran LS Tucker Addington
The Steelers are expected to sign former Texans long snapper Tucker Addington — who was just released by Houston a few days ago — as reported by Aaron Wilson of KPRC. Since entering the NFL in 2022, Addington has played four games with the Patriots, three with the Commanders, and three with the Dolphins — potentially bringing just enough experience to compete with current Steelers LS Christian Kuntz for a roster spot. Advertisement Back in March, the Steelers brought in three long snappers for workouts: Peter Bowden, Matt Hembrough, and Sean Wracher. Since signing with the Steelers in 2021, Kuntz has served as the team's primary long snapper in every game Pittsburgh has played. Fans have another positional battle to watch at July's training camp, as 27-year-old Addington holds the age advantage over Kuntz — who just turned 31 — while the veteran Steelers long snapper clearly has the edge in experience. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like. This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers expected sign former Patriots, Texans LS Tucker Addington
Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
Cleveland Guardians Miss The Firepower Of Traded Slugger, Josh Naylor
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JUNE 09: Josh Naylor #22 of the Arizona Diamondbacks bats against the Seattle ... More Mariners during the fourth inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on June 09, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by) The Cleveland Guardians are having a very tough time scoring runs. So far this season, the Guardians have scored 286 runs, placing them No. 25 in all of baseball. They just don't have the same firepower in their lineup without Josh Naylor, who now plays first base for the Arizona Diamondbacks. This year, Naylor, 28, is entering his final season before being eligible for free agency. The Guardians elected to trade Naylor's contract while they could still get a return for his services. Traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks this offseason for pitcher Slade Cecconi, Naylor delivered 31 home runs, drove in 108 runs, and scored 84 runs for Cleveland last year, in his 633 plate appearances. The left-handed hitting Naylor also offered some protection in the middle of the lineup for slugging third baseman, Jose Ramirez. Pitchers had to take great care pitching to both Ramirez, and Naylor, knowing either or both of them can change a game with one swing. While Ramirez remains one of the premier hitters in Major League baseball, he isn't seeing the same type of pitches without Naylor in the lineup. Depending upon the pitcher's repertoire, Ramirez, a switch-hitter, is seeing a steady diet of changeups, in addition to cutters and breaking balls. When he gets a fastball, Ramirez rarely misses. Fastballs are rare against the struggling Cleveland lineup. There is little question the Guardians miss the jolt first baseman Josh Naylor delivered from the middle of their lineup. After a successful run deep into the postseason last year, the Guardians will find it difficult to win a 2025 playoff spot. Of course, more than half a season remains for the Guards to climb back into contention. The Guardians can boast of solid pitching, but their offense has been dormant. They'll have to hit to have any chance to make the playoffs.. Naylor was replaced this year at first base by a combination of Carlos Santana, and Kyle Manzardo. While Carlos Santana has hit well, he just doesn't bring the same type of game-changing threat as Josh Naylor. CLEVELAND, OHIO - JUNE 11: Carlos Santana #41 of the Cleveland Guardians rounds the bases on a ... More three-run homer during the third inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Progressive Field on June 11, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by) Carlos Santana: Santana, 39, is 5-10, 210 pounds. Santana has always been a good hitter. He has a career .242 batting average in parts of 16 big league season, but he is a tough out. Santana brings great pitch recognition and a great eye to the plate. He hits the gaps, and can still probably hit 15 or more homers a season. Santana won a Gold Glove at first base playing for the Minnesota Twins last season. Now in his third stint with the Guardians, Santana returns where he started his career. He made his major league debut with the (then) Cleveland Indians in 2010. But Santana does not bring Naylor's power. Cleveland Guardians' Kyle Manzardo (9) reacts after striking out to end the top of the first inning ... More in the second baseball game of a doubleheader against the Minnesota Twins, Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Kyle Manzardo: Manzardo is a left-handed hitter. Manzardo, who turns 25 in July, is 6-0, 205 pounds. Manzardo, traded to the Guardians from the Tampa Bay Rays in July 2023, is still learning how to adjust to major league pitching. There are times Manzardo is fooled by looking for a fast ball, and getting a pitch that spins. The reverse is also true. While Manzardo shows promise as a potential home run threat, he is probably some time away from being counted upon to hit anything close to 25 home runs in a season. Manzardo has the ability to take a pitch to the opposite field, and he can hold his own against left-handed pitching. Manzardo has been inconsistent so far in his young career. He has spurts of solid contact, and then he shows times when he is off-balance and fooled at the plate. Some of his swings are in desperation. Manzardo's issues come with his youth, and lack of experience against major league quality pitching. CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 15: The new Cleveland Guardians logo hangs on the exterior of Progressive ... More Field prior to the home opener against the San Francisco Giants on April 15, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by) With Carlos Santana and Kyle Manzardo combined, the duo probably won't reach the 31 homers Josh Naylor produced last season. Or the 108 RBIs. As of this writing, Santana has eight home runs. Manzardo has hit 11 homers. Even while he is playing with an aching schoulder, Naylor has driven in 51 runs, and has stolen 10 bases for the Diamondbacks in 75 games played. He is on pace to drive in more than 100 runs, once again. While Josh Naylor isn't hitting the ball out of the park as often with his new Arizona Diamondbacks club, he is a force to be reckoned with every at bat. He is also stealing bases, and playing credibly at first base. Naylor is surrounded in the Diamondbacks lineup by hitters like Corbin Carroll, Ketel Marte, Geraldo Perdomo, and Eugenio Suarez. They are a formidable lot. Cleveland doesn't have anything close to that type of firepower in their current lineup. While Josh Naylor may be raking in Arizona, he is not forgotten by the fans of the Cleveland Guardians. The Guardians could really use the power and thunder Naylor brings to a lineup.
