![\"Luisangel](\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,w_4405,h_2477,x_0,y_130\/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images\/ImagnImages\/mmsport\/inside_the_mets\/01jqaawv9h92begc6d2a.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The Mets had to do a lot of shuffling in their outfield on Tuesday night against the Padres, and Luisangel Acu\u00f1a<\/strong> was actually a part of the mix.<\/p>\n After Juan Soto<\/strong> left the game with a foot contusion, Tyrone Taylor<\/strong> came in to play center with Jeff McNei<\/strong>l sliding to right field. But when the Mets had the bases loaded in the fifth, manager Carlos Mendoza<\/strong> pinch-hit for Taylor, calling on Starling Marte<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Marte got the team’s only run in their 7-1 loss with a sac fly, but stayed on to play right field.<\/p>\n In the eighth inning, Acu\u00f1a came in as a defensive replacement for Marte. It’s only the second time he’s played the outfield in a major league game in his career, both coming this season, but he showed he’s pretty capable out there when Xander Bogaerts<\/strong> hit a liner to center field.<\/p>\n Acu\u00f1a got a good jump and trekked all the way from right center to make a face-first dive to catch the ball.<\/p>\n “Good to see,” Mendoza said of the sliding play. “Got tested right away, gets a really good jump and made a diving play. Good to see.”<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n The Mets skipper was asked if he just wanted to give Acu\u00f1a a rep in the outfield or whether Marte needed a blow, and Mendoza said it was a combination of both.<\/p>\n “Marte is fine, but coming off — after three innings of defense and where we were at in the game, maybe give Acu\u00f1a an inning and see what it looks like,” he said. “And at the same time trying to protect Marte a little bit.”<\/p>\n Marte (knee bruise) just returned from the IL last week, so it makes sense Mendoza would make sure his veteran slugger didn’t overdo it, especially with the score out of hand in the later innings. But allowing Acu\u00f1a to show what he could do in the outfield may also have another effect.<\/p>\n Acu\u00f1a has been named in potential trade talks with the Chicago White Sox for Luis Robert Jr<\/strong>. — with some reports calling the Mets the frontrunner to acquire the outfielder. Perhaps the rep was to show the White Sox that Acu\u00f1a can play the outfield in a big league game to increase his value.<\/p>\n Luisangel Acu\u00f1a makes the diving catch in center field.<\/p>\n It's just his second time playing center field this season pic.twitter.com\/LHfm5GTJVz<\/a><\/p>\n — SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) July 30, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n