Luis Angel Acuña, an infielder for the Mets, was ejected from a Venezuelan winter league game on Friday after being hit by a pitch on the forearm during the fourth inning. Playing for Cardenales de Lara, Acuña was struck by an 88 mph pitch from Tiburones de la Guaira’s right-hander Eduardo Paredes, which loaded the bases. The 23-year-old fell to the ground but attempted to shake off the pain before receiving assistance from a trainer.
In that inning, Cardenales scored two more runs, securing a 6-5 lead, and eventually won the game 11-5 after adding runs in the seventh and four in the ninth. No updates have been provided regarding Acuña’s injury.
So far this winter league season, Acuña has a batting line of .208/.391/.396 across 17 games, with two home runs, four doubles, and 10 RBIs. However, his future with the Mets remains uncertain following a challenging 2025 season during which he appeared in only 95 major league games, batting .234 with seven doubles. He was sent down to Triple-A in August but returned later to finish the season in Queens.
Career-wise, Acuña holds a .248 batting average with three home runs, nine doubles, and one triple over 109 games. Given the Mets’ depth of infielders, including Brett Baty, Mark Vientos, and Jeff McNeil, Acuña might be part of an offseason trade. Additionally, Mets Baseball Operations Manager David Stearns is reportedly open to trade talks involving McNeil and Brandon Nimmo.
Fan Take: This news is significant for baseball fans as it highlights the ongoing challenges and transitions within the Mets’ roster, which could reshape the team’s future. The potential trades and injury concerns add intriguing layers to offseason moves, impacting team dynamics and player careers in the upcoming season.
