ST. LOUIS — Pete Alonso’s recent doldrums at the plate got him a partial day off Monday.
The slumping first baseman was absent from the Mets’ starting lineup for the first time this season — he had started the previous 126 games dating to last year — but entered as a defensive replacement in the Mets’ 4-3 victory over the Cardinals at Busch Stadium.
Alonso entered the day in a 1-for-28 (.036) tailspin that had pushed his season numbers to .206/.295/.420.
Alonso went 0-for-1 after entering to play first base in the sixth inning — DJ Stewart, who started at the position, was shifted to left field.
Manager Carlos Mendoza said it was “difficult” to have a conversation with Alonso informing him he would be on the bench.
“He’s one of those guys that doesn’t want to come out of the lineup at any time, but I felt it was important for Pete to have a day,” Mendoza said.
“He’s struggling,” Mendoza said. “It wasn’t easy to give him a day [Monday] and that says who he is. Even if he’s not feeling like himself at the plate he still wants to be there. But he will continue to work and grind through it and he will get through it.”
Mendoza said a decision should be reached by Tuesday on whether Kodai Senga will throw a third live batting-practice session or take the final jump in his rehab progression by beginning a minor league assignment.
The right-hander is not eligible for a return from the injured list before May 27.
Tylor Megill is scheduled to pitch four innings and 60-65 pitches in his next rehab start, according to Mendoza, after which the Mets may decide he’s ready for removal from the injured list.
Mendoza said it’s too early to say if Megill would return to the Mets’ rotation or be assigned to Triple-A Syracuse.
Binghamton right-hander Joander Suarez named Eastern League Pitcher of the Week after throwing 6 ¹/₃ hitless innings with seven strikeouts in his May 2 start against Hartford.
In five appearances (four starts) this season, the 24-year-old has pitched to a 2.60 ERA with 24 strikeouts and eight walks.
Yohan Ramirez was claimed off waivers.
To create space on the 40-man roster, left-handed pitcher Max Kranick was designated for assignment.
Ramirez began the season with the Mets before he was DFA’d.
