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Athletics' Jeff McNeil: Reaches base twice in spring debut
Rotowire
McNeil (shoulder) started at second base and went 1-for-1 with a walk in Sunday's Cactus League loss to the Guardians.
McNeil suited up for the first time as a member of the Athletics and reached base in both plate appearances, though he also committed a fielding error before being lifted Sunday. The veteran underwent thoracic outlet surgery shortly after the conclusion of the 2025 season, so his early participation in spring is an encouraging sign. The 33-year-old hit .243/.335/.411 with 21 doubles, 12 home runs and 54 RBI across 122 regular-season games with the Mets last year and will look to produce for his new club in 2026, likely entrenched at second base to open the campaign.
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Athletics' Jeff McNeil: Ready for spring debut
Rotowire
McNeil (shoulder) will start at second base and bat sixth in Sunday's Cactus League game against the Guardians, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
McNeil will don an Athletics uniform for the first time after coming over from the Mets in a December trade. He underwent thoracic outlet surgery shortly after the conclusion of the 2025 regular season, with his agent later saying that the issue caused McNeil discomfort when he swung the bat late in the campaign. Entering his age-34 season, he figures to benefit from a big park upgrade moving from Queens to Sacramento.
The Athletics acquired McNeil (shoulder) and cash considerations from the Mets on Monday in exchange for Yordan Rodriguez, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
McNeil finished the 2025 season with a .243/.335/.411 batting line and 12 home runs over 462 plate appearances, which was his best offensive season since he made the All-Star team and won the National League batting title in 2022. He underwent thoracic outlet surgery after this past season but is expected to be ready for spring training. Slated to turn 34 just after Opening Day, McNeil will take over as the Athletics' starting second baseman and will get a boost with a move from Citi Field to Sutter Health Park.
Mets' Jeff McNeil: Could be part of first base platoon
Rotowire
The Mets are considering using McNeil (shoulder) as the strong side of a platoon at first base next season, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.
Healey says the club could consider signing Paul Goldschmidt as the short side of that platoon. It wouldn't make for a very exciting replacement for Pete Alonso, who agreed to a long-term contract with the Orioles on Wednesday, and the likelier scenario is still that McNeil is traded this winter. McNeil underwent thoracic outlet surgery after the season but is expected to be ready for spring training.
Mets' Jeff McNeil: Underwent thoracic outlet surgery
Rotowire
McNeil's agent, Garrett Parcell, has revealed that his client underwent thoracic outlet surgery shortly after the conclusion of the regular season, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.
Parcell said that McNeil already has good range of motion and is expected to participate fully in spring training. Thoracic outlet surgery is a much more serious operation for pitchers, but Parcell did note that the issue caused McNeil discomfort with his swing late in the season. McNeil had a .514 OPS in September after posting an OPS no lower than .742 in any other month. The 33-year-old is tentatively projected to open the 2026 season as the Mets' second baseman, though he offers the versatility to play other positions, if needed.
McNeil is not in the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Cubs.
The left-handed-hitting McNeil will take a seat as the Cubs send southpaw Shota Imanaga to the hill. Luisangel Acuna will start at second base and bat ninth.
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Mets' Jeff McNeil: Exiting starting nine
Rotowire
McNeil is absent from the lineup for Friday's game versus the Nationals.
McNeil had started each of the previous seven contests but managed only one hit over that stretch, so he'll get a day off to regroup. Brett Baty will handle second base and bat eighth for the Mets.
McNeil is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game in Philadelphia.
McNeil had started each of the previous 10 contests for the Mets but will begin Wednesday's game on the bench. Luisangel Acuna will man second base and bat ninth.
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