MILWAUKEE — Luisangel Acuña’s magical September may have ended early, but manager Carlos Mendoza believes the opportunity could create a new niche.
When Francisco Lindor returned to the top of the lineup and shortstop Friday, Acuña was out of the lineup.
“He’s going to continue to be a big part of the team moving forward,” Mendoza said of Acuña before The Mets’ 8-4 loss to the Brewers at American Family Field.
Mendoza said he could envision Acuña pinch-hitting, stepping in as a defensive replacement or getting at-bats against an opposing lefty.
But David Stearns acknowledged the Mets will play their best lineup as much as possible for the season’s final stretch — and that lineup includes Lindor at shortstop and Jose Iglesias at second, Stearns said.
Lindor, who went 2-for-4 with a walk in his return to the lineup, had missed eight straight games with back discomfort, opening the door for a top prospect who made an immediate impact.
After a statistically unimpressive season with Triple-A Syracuse, Acuña hit .375 with three home runs in his first 10 major league games.
The Mets could try Acuña, who can play either center infield, at second base and move Iglesias to third while asking Mark Vientos to DH.
Typically designed hitter JD Martinez has pretty much struggled all month.
Mendoza didn’t endorse or shoot down the idea, instead praising the versatility that Acuña offers, giving the manager plenty of options.
Acuña had also played 31 games in center field with Syracuse.
Mendoza said he would only try Acuña at the spot in the final games of the season in an emergency, comfortable with Harrison Bader, Tyrone Taylor and Brandon Nimmo as his center fielders.
Barring a Lindor setback, Acuña doesn’t appear to be a regular anymore, but Mendoza believes Acuña will still have a role.
“Having a piece like that is important,” Mendoza said.