Mets’ Top Prospect Ronny Mauricio Undergoes ACL Surgery, Could Miss Entire 2024 Season
New York Mets prospect Ronny Mauricio will begin next season on the injured list after undergoing ACL surgery on his right knee, the team announced on Wednesday.
The 22-year-old infielder’s procedure to repair his torn ACL was performed by Mets medical director Dr. David Altchek in New York on Tuesday. In all likelihood, he’ll miss most, if not all, of the 2024 campaign.
“Yesterday, Ronny Mauricio underwent right knee ACL reconstruction surgery performed by Dr. David Altchek at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. A typical return-to-play timeline from this procedure is 8-12 months,” the team said in a press release.
Mauricio, who finished last season as the Mets’ No. 4 top prospect, per MLB Pipeline, opened at Triple-A Syracuse before making his highly-anticipated MLB debut last September.
The 6-foot-3 righty played 116 games in the minors, hitting 23 home runs, 71 RBIs and .292/.346/.506 for a 108 wRC+. He split time at second, shortstop and third base, earning most of his reps on the right side of the infield.
Upon joining the big-league club, Mauricio struggled offensively to a .248/.296/.347 slash line, posting only six extra-base hits (four doubles, two home runs) and nine RBIs over 26 contests. He struck out in 31 of his 108 plate appearances, leading to a 28.7% K rate.
The Mets assigned their promising young infielder to Tigres del Licey in the Dominican Winter League, where he went 15-for-34 (.441 AVG) with one home run and five RBIs in eight games before injuring his knee during a stolen-base attempt on December 10th.
The Dominican native appeared eager to swipe second base, beginning his motion off first before stopping just a few seconds later and dropping to the ground in pain. He quickly reached for his right knee and was seen walking off with team trainers at his side.
Mauricio, a switch-hitting infielder, was originally in line to compete for a roster spot at second or third base with the Mets this spring. But now, the team will likely look to Jeff McNeil and fellow youngster Brett Baty at those spots, respectively.
Mark Vientos figures to operate as New York’s backup third baseman and occasional DH in 2024. The 24-year-old righty logged 65 games in the majors a season ago, clubbing nine home runs and 22 RBIs while producing a .211/.253/.367 clip for a 69 wRC+.
The Mets signed veteran Joey Wendle to a one-year deal worth $2 million earlier this off-season, adding an extra layer of defensive versatility to their roster, as he features prior experience at second base, third and shortstop, as well as left and right field.
Beyond the infield, the club’s starting outfield trio will feature a slightly new look in 2024, with Tyrone Taylor – acquired via trade from the Milwaukee Brewers – set to join Brandon Nimmo and Starling Marte.
New York’s starting rotation also carries a pair of new additions, as Luis Severino (signed to a one-year, $13-million deal in free agency) and Adrian Houser (packaged with Taylor via trade) will slot in behind ace Kodai Senga.
-Thomas Hall
Twitter: @ThomasHall85
Photo: Andre Carrotflower. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.