The New York Mets have started the 2025 season strong with a 24-14 record, yet they face significant challenges due to injuries. Key players unavailable include infielder Ronny Mauricio and pitchers Frankie Montas, Sean Manaea, A.J. Minter, and Jesse Winker. Minter, who was enjoying a stellar season with a 1.64 ERA, recently revealed he requires season-ending surgery after tearing his lat off the bone. This development casts a shadow over the Mets' promising start as they attempt to maintain their top position in MLB with a remarkable team ERA of 2.84 despite these setbacks.

Manager Carlos Mendoza is under pressure to adjust his strategies given the lineup's injuries. The Mets are still finding ways to compete, but Minter's absence, in particular, is a significant blow to their bullpen. The team is now tasked with navigating the rest of the season while hoping for a speedy recovery for their injured stars, especially Minter, who aims to return for a normal spring training next year.

Jesse Winker of the New York Mets has been sidelined for six to eight weeks due to a Grade 2 oblique strain, confirmed by manager Carlos Mendoza. This injury occurred during a recent game against the St. Louis Cardinals while making a throw from left field, where he was filling in after primarily DH-ing earlier in the season.

A.J. Minter, a key reliever, is also set for season-ending surgery due to a torn lat muscle, having posted a 1.64 ERA in 13 appearances. As Winker’s replacement, infielder Brett Baty, who previously struggled with a .204 batting average this season, has been called up from Triple-A Syracuse. Mendoza expressed confidence in Baty's versatility, highlighting his ability to play multiple positions and contribute as a left-handed bat.

The New York Mets continue to lead the NL East with a 22-13 record despite recently facing adversity as they lost four out of five games. A concern arose when outfielder Jesse Winker exited the first game of a doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals due to an oblique injury. His current season statistics include a .239 batting average, one home run, and ten RBIs. Manager Carlos Mendoza indicated that Winker's situation is likely to result in a stint on the injured list, as further imaging is needed to assess the injury.

The Mets will need to adjust their lineup as they prepare for their next series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. In addition to Winker, the team is also dealing with a lengthy injured list that includes several key players. Currently, the Mets hold a 2.5-game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies, with the Washington Nationals and Atlanta Braves trailing behind.

On May 3, 2025, some exciting MLB player prop bets are on the table as Thunder Dan highlights his top choices for home runs. The spotlight is on five prominent sluggers who all have odds above +300, indicating strong potential for going deep today.

First up is Ben Rice from the New York Yankees, who leads off against Zack Littell, boasting an impressive .324 batting average and an ISO of .368 against righties. With Littell allowing numerous homers this season, Rice's chances look favorable.

Next is Jesse Winker of the New York Mets, sitting at attractive +800 odds. Despite a slow start, Winker's historical success against sinkers and favorable hitting conditions suggest he could surprise today.

Seiya Suzuki from the Chicago Cubs, already with nine homers this season, is another strong candidate, especially given his power against lefties.

Bobby Witt Jr. and Spencer Torkelson round out the list, both of whom possess the skill set to capitalize on their matchups and contribute significantly. With careful analysis of these players and their respective pitchers today, bettors have a lot to gain.