Winker (calf) will serve as the designated hitter and bat fourth in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals.
Winker has been sidelined since exiting Monday's game early due to calf cramps, but the issue seems to have subsided ahead of Thursday's contest. The 31-year-old slashed .253/.360/.405 with 14 homers and 58 RBI in 508 regular-season plate appearances last year and has shown no signs of slowing down this spring, maintaining an .805 OPS through 13 Grapefruit League games.
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Mets' Jesse Winker: Nursing calf cramp
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Winker exited Monday's Grapefruit League contest versus the Rays due to a calf cramp, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza indicated that Winker's removal was precautionary, adding that the 31-year-old "should be OK." Winker -- who was retired in his lone plate appearance Monday -- is sporting an .805 OPS this spring and projects to open the season as the Mets' primary designated hitter against right-handed pitching.
The Mets agreed to terms on a contract with Winker on Thursday, Andy Martino of SNY.tv reports.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post says it's a one-year, $7.5 million deal that could reach $9 million if Winker hits incentives. Winker had a solid bounce-back showing in 2024 between the Nationals and Mets, collecting a .764 OPS with 14 homers and 14 steals during the regular season before adding another long ball and a 1.168 OPS in 10 postseason contests. The 31-year-old should see fairly regular reps against righties between designated hitter and left field.
Winker will start at designated hitter and bat fifth Friday in Game 5 of the NLCS against the Dodgers, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.
He sat in favor of J.D. Martinez in Games 3 and 4, but Winker will be back in there Friday as the Mets try to stave off elimination. The 31-year-old is 2-for-7 with a 2:2 BB:K at the plate during the NLCS.
Winker is not in the lineup Thursday for Game 4 of the NLCS versus the Dodgers.
J.D. Martinez will receive a second straight start at designated hitter after walking twice and striking out twice in four plate appearances in Game 3. Winker is slashing .267/.476/.600 with one home run this postseason.
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Mets' Jesse Winker: Absent from Game 3 lineup
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Winker is not in the lineup Wednesday for Game 3 of the NLCS against the Dodgers.
Winker has typically been starting at designated hitter against right-handed pitching, but he will begin this one on the bench versus righty Walker Buehler. The Mets will go with J.D. Martinez at DH and in the No. 6 spot in the lineup.
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Mets' Jesse Winker: Not in NLDS Game 4 lineup
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Winker is absent from the lineup Wednesday for Game 4 of the NLDS versus the Phillies.
The Phillies are sending lefty Ranger Suarez to the bump as they try to stave off elimination, so the left-handed-hitting Winker will yield to J.D. Martinez at designated hitter. Winker homered in the Mets' Game 3 victory and is a candidate to see action off the bench in Game 4.
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Mets' Jesse Winker: Beginning on bench Sunday
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Winker is not in the Mets' lineup for Sunday's Game 2 of the NLDS against the Phillies.
Winker started at DH in Game 1 of the series and went 0-for-1 with two walks before J.D. Martinez pinch hit for him in the eighth inning. Martinez is starting at DH on Sunday as the veterans continue to split time at the position. Sunday will be Martinez's second start at DH in the postseason, while Winker has started three times.
Winker is not in the lineup Wednesday for Game 2 of the National League Wild Card Series in Milwaukee, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Winker contributed a two-run triple out of the designated hitter spot for the Mets in Game 1, but he will begin Wednesday's contest on the bench against Brewers righty Frankie Montas. J.D. Martinez will be the DH and bat sixth.
Winker (back) will start at designated hitter and bat sixth Tuesday in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series versus the Brewers, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.
Winker didn't see any action in the final four games of the regular season while nursing a minor back injury, but he's feeling well enough to give it a go in the first game of the postseason. He went just 3-for-42 at the plate in September.
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Mets' Jesse Winker: Included on wild-card roster
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Winker (back) is on the Mets' roster for the National League Wild Card Series against the Brewers.
Winker did not play in the final four games of the regular season while battling a back injury, but the Mets have deemed him healthy enough to be part of their roster for the first round of the playoffs. What is not yet clear is whether Winker will be in the lineup for Game 1 versus righty Freddy Peralta.
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Mets' Jesse Winker: Nursing back injury
Rotowire
Winker is uncertain to be included on the Mets' wild-card roster due to a back injury, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.
Winker didn't play in the Mets' final four games, including the last three against right-handed pitching. He was spotted Monday with his back taped up, suggesting that could be the reason for his recent absence. If Winker is unavailable, J.D. Martinez could become the Mets' regular designated hitter again. Brett Baty is with the Mets on their taxi squad and is likely to be added to the active roster if Winker is a no-go.
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