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 narrowly fell to the St. Louis Cardinals 6-5 in a doubleheader opener, hampered by shaky pitching from Blake Tidwell in his MLB debut, who allowed six runs in 3.2 innings. The Mets initially led after Brandon Nimmo's RBI double, but the Cardinals rallied to score five unanswered runs, fueled by Wilson Contreras' home run and three RBIs from Francisco Lindor. Jesse Winker contributed to the Mets’ offense with a sacrifice fly before leaving the game due to oblique discomfort, raising concerns about his status moving forward.

With Winker potentially sidelined, there’s speculation that the Mets might summon Brett Baty back to the majors to fill the gap, which could lead to an interesting reshuffle in their lineup. Mets fans are eager for Baty's return, believing he can significantly boost the offense.

In Week 6 of the 2025 fantasy baseball season, stashing the right prospects can pay off significantly, just as it did last year with Paul Skenes and James Wood. Players such as Bubba Chandler from the Pittsburgh Pirates, who boasts an impressive 1.42 ERA at Triple-A with 36 strikeouts over six starts, are set to make immediate impacts upon promotion. Roman Anthony of the Red Sox is another standout, currently leading AAA players with a 31.3% barrel rate, hinting at an imminent call-up. Jordan Lawlar of the Diamondbacks, hitting .381 at Triple-A, is also deserving of a spot on fantasy rosters, despite potential playing time issues. The Cubs' Matt Shaw, who was optioned back to Triple-A after a rough start, shows promise with a resurgence at the minor league level, while Cade Horton and Coby Mayo round out the top stash candidates this week, with Mayo being on the verge of promotion due to injuries on the Orioles' roster.

The New York Mets, boasting an impressive 18-8 record, continue to thrive despite the absence of former batting champion Jeff McNeil, who has only appeared in one game this season due to an oblique strain. In his season debut, McNeil went 1-for-4. The team made a surprising decision by optioning Brett Baty to Triple-A Syracuse, despite his recent strong performance, which included a .993 OPS over his last eight games and a two-run homer in a victory against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza expressed his reluctance regarding Baty's demotion, highlighting his capacity to compete at the major league level. Baty's notable improvement from a challenging 2022 season—where he averaged only .212—has raised expectations for his future contributions. Unfortunately, the Mets suffered a 5-4 defeat against the Washington Nationals, as their bullpen faltered, allowing a walk-off single in the ninth inning.

The New York Mets are on the verge of welcoming back two key players, Francisco Alvarez and Jeff McNeil, as they prepare for a series against the Washington Nationals. Both are set to complete their rehab assignments with Triple-A Syracuse, with intentions to be activated by Friday. Their return means tough roster decisions loom, especially as the temporary replacements have impressed.

Rookie catcher Hayden Senger has been a standout, demonstrating exceptional defensive skills and rapport with the pitching staff, despite being batting .200. Brett Baty's recent performance at second and third base has been commendable, but he's currently on a downturn. Meanwhile, Luisangel Acuña, a versatile player, might edge out Baty for a roster spot. With the Mets aiming to optimize their lineup and create more scoring opportunities, manager Carlos Mendoza faces a challenging yet rewarding decision-making process.