Jorge Polanco's first season with the New York Mets continues to be a difficult one.

The veteran infielder had his minor-league rehab assignment shut down due to left ankle soreness and will return to New York for further evaluation by team doctors, the Mets announced on Saturday.

Polanco, who turns 33 in July, was six games into his rehab assignment, playing three games with Double-A Binghamton and three with Triple-A Syracuse. He played twice at first base, which is where the Mets intended for him to play after signing him to a two-year, $40 million contract.

Until being shut down, Polanco was progressing well enough that the Mets thought he might be able to rejoin the team this weekend in San Diego. But with this latest setback, his return has become uncertain.

"He felt something, he felt some discomfort while he was going through his running progression before the game," Mets manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters on Saturday.

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Mendoza confirmed that Polanco's discomfort was in his left Achilles tendon, which has been troubling him all season. Polanco went on the injured list in April with a right wrist contusion. However, he was hobbled by bursitis in his left Achilles, which contributed to his slow start. No structural damage was seen in an MRI exam.

Prior to going on the IL, Polanco had played in 14 of the Mets' 20 games. In 61 plate appearances, he posted a slash line of .179/.246/.286 with 3 doubles, 1 home run and 2 RBI. Those numbers were far below what the Mets projected, based on the 26 homers, 30 doubles and 78 RBI he produced for the Seattle Mariners last season while batting .265/.326/.495 in 524 PAs.

Mendoza told reporters that it was important for Polanco to get at-bats and defensive innings at first base before rejoining the Mets. Before the injury setback, he posted a .167/.412/.417 slash line in 17 PAs while playing eight innings in the field.

As a team, Mets first basemen are last in the National League with a collective .220 batting average and a .652 OPS that ranks second to last. Mark Vientos (.214/.248/.370) and Brett Baty (.234/.300/.333) have gotten the majority of time at the position, while Jared Young (.288/.356/.519) has shown encouraging production.

Jorge Polanco's first season with the New York Mets continues to be a difficult one.

The veteran infielder had his minor-league rehab assignment shut down due to left ankle soreness and will return to New York for further evaluation by team doctors, the Mets announced on Saturday.

Polanco, who turns 33 in July, was six games into his rehab assignment, playing three games with Double-A Binghamton and three with Triple-A Syracuse. He played twice at first base, which is where the Mets intended for him to play after signing him to a two-year, $40 million contract.

Until being shut down, Polanco was progressing well enough that the Mets thought he might be able to rejoin the team this weekend in San Diego. But with this latest setback, his return has become uncertain.

"He felt something, he felt some discomfort while he was going through his running progression before the game," Mets manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters on Saturday.

Play 2026 Soccer Pick 'Em with FOX One and make your picks for the world's biggest soccer tournament

Mendoza confirmed that Polanco's discomfort was in his left Achilles tendon, which has been troubling him all season. Polanco went on the injured list in April with a right wrist contusion. However, he was hobbled by bursitis in his left Achilles, which contributed to his slow start. No structural damage was seen in an MRI exam.

Prior to going on the IL, Polanco had played in 14 of the Mets' 20 games. In 61 plate appearances, he posted a slash line of .179/.246/.286 with 3 doubles, 1 home run and 2 RBI. Those numbers were far below what the Mets projected, based on the 26 homers, 30 doubles and 78 RBI he produced for the Seattle Mariners last season while batting .265/.326/.495 in 524 PAs.

Mendoza told reporters that it was important for Polanco to get at-bats and defensive innings at first base before rejoining the Mets. Before the injury setback, he posted a .167/.412/.417 slash line in 17 PAs while playing eight innings in the field.

As a team, Mets first basemen are last in the National League with a collective .220 batting average and a .652 OPS that ranks second to last. Mark Vientos (.214/.248/.370) and Brett Baty (.234/.300/.333) have gotten the majority of time at the position, while Jared Young (.288/.356/.519) has shown encouraging production.