New York Mets Seek Special Permission for Jeff McNeil to Join Arizona Fall League

The New York Mets have submitted a request to Major League Baseball (MLB) concerning player Jeff McNeil‘s participation in the Arizona Fall League (AFL), according to Anthony Dicomo of MLB.com. The move aims to provide McNeil, an infielder, with the opportunity to face live pitching, which is critical for his rehabilitation process.

McNeil, 32, has been sidelined since September 6, 2023, due to injury. Consequently, the Mets are seeking alternatives to ensure he regains his form before being re-activated. Anthony Dicomo indicated on social media that the AFL could offer McNeil the chance to get necessary at-bats during his rehab, which is not feasible in the customary minor league format as the season has concluded. Although simulated games remain an option, the feasibility of this alternative is uncertain, especially considering that many pitchers not on active rosters have already been decommissioned for the season.

Over his seven-year career, McNeil has recorded a .238 batting average this season, alongside 12 home runs and 44 RBIs. Renowned for his versatility, McNeil is crucial to the Mets, covering positions at second base, third base, and the outfield. A former batting champion in 2021, McNeil boasts a .289 career batting average and has been named an All-Star twice. His most notable performance was in 2019, when he achieved a career-high of 23 home runs.

The Mets are currently in a 1-1 series tie against the Philadelphia Phillies. The critical Game 3 of the series is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon in Philadelphia. Should the Mets secure victory, they will advance to face either the Los Angeles Dodgers or the San Diego Padres in the National League Championship Series.

For Game 3, the Mets will start left-handed pitcher Sean Manaea, while the Phillies will counter with right-hander Aaron Nola. The first pitch is slated for 5:08 p.m. ET at Citi Field. Fans can keep up with developments by following Fastball On SI for continuous coverage on various social media platforms.

The report was penned by Brady Farkas, a renowned baseball writer for Fastball on Sports Illustrated/FanNation. He also hosts ‘The Payoff Pitch‘ podcast, available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and is known for his extensive experience in sports talk radio, being an alumnus of Oswego State University.