A potential X-factor for the New York Mets has reached a key milestone in his lengthy recovery. Could the team now explore dealing him for pitching reinforcements?
Infielder Ronny Mauricio was set to serve as the designated hitter in an extended spring training game on Tuesday. It marks the 24-year-old’s first live action since tearing his ACL during the 2023 offseason while competing in the Dominican Winter League.
“It’s a positive step that he’s getting into game action now,” said Mets manager Carlos Mendoza.
“We’re hoping to get him some defensive reps soon, get him playing full games in extended spring, and then take it from there.”
Ronny Mauricio Takes Big Step Toward Return to Major Leagues
Mauricio brought some buzz to the Mets during his rookie stint in 2023. The tall, 6-foot-4 infielder posted a .248 batting average over 26 late-season games, stealing 7 bases and scoring 11 runs.
After being sidelined during rehab from his initial knee procedure—and undergoing arthroscopic surgery in August 2024 to remove scar tissue—Mauricio said as spring training approached that he can “finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
“I’m really looking forward to the moment I can get back on the field,” he said.
But could that return come with a different team?
Package of Ronny Mauricio, Nolan McLean Proposed for Seattle Ace Luis Castillo
The Mets’ pitching staff has exceeded expectations this season, currently ranking second in the league in runs allowed. Impressively, none of their five starting pitchers carries an ERA above 3.66.
Still, Zach Pressnell of Newsweek believes New York could use a true ace to stack up against the National League’s top playoff contenders. He suggests the Mets pursue a trade with Seattle, offering infielder Ronny Mauricio and right-handed pitcher Nolan McLean—ranked as the team’s No. 5 prospect—in exchange for veteran starter Luis Castillo.
“Castillo has been a model of consistency throughout his time with both the Mariners and the Reds,” Pressnell writes. “Adding him would give the Mets a frontline arm to match up against elite pitchers like Spencer Strider and Shohei Ohtani in the postseason.”
As for Seattle, Pressnell highlights Mauricio’s versatility and upside, along with McLean’s strong potential.
“McLean boasts an advanced pitch mix and one of the most effective sliders in the minors,” Pressnell notes. “In the Mariners’ system, he has the tools to become a future star.”
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