New York

Mets

Benge has his best major league game to date for a second time in a week. The first was when he homered twice against the Mariners on Tuesday. This one was probably more fulfilling, since it came in a victory. It raised his average from .248 to .265 and his OPS from .682 to .733. Benge’s balls in play ranged from 94.9 mph to 106.4 mph, which produced a 389-foot homer. The triple, on a grounder that made it into the right field corner, was his first as a major leaguer.

The surprising velocity jump Manaea enjoyed in his first outing as a bulk guy did not carry over to today; he averaged 89.7 mph with his sinker, which was also his average for the year before he suddenly surged to 91.7 mph Monday against the Mariners. He proved adequate but nothing more than that today, which might increase the chances of him returning to a more traditional relief role after Kodai Senga comes off the IL. Before then, Manaea could face the Braves on Friday or Saturday.

Williams gave up a walk and a double with two outs before striking out Fernando Tatis Jr. to end things. The run is the first Williams has allowed in four appearances since his ugly May 24 outing against the Marlins, when he gave up a walkoff grand slam. He earned a save three days after that, but the Mets haven’t had any save chances in nine games since.

Sean Manaea will likely again function as a bulk guy after doing a great job Monday against the Mariners. Brazobán thus far has allowed four runs over six innings in five appearances as an opener.

Semien drew a walk and scored a run in the second inning, then singled and was caught stealing in the fourth. He later led off the seventh with a solo homer off Bradgley Rodriguez. The home run was Semien’s seventh of the season while slashing .222/.275/.348 with 25 runs scored, 24 RBI, and five steals across 252 plate appearances.

McLean was solid again on Saturday, holding the Padres to one run over six frames. He scattered three hits and walked three batters while collecting five strikeouts. He’s now allowed one run in back-to-back starts after giving up a combined 13 over his previous two. The 24-year-old right-hander will take a 3.98 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and an 82/27 K/BB ratio across 71 1/3 innings into a start against the Braves in New York on Friday.

Polanco was supposed to play again Saturday after going 0-for-2 with two walks for Triple-A Syracuse on Friday, but either player or team decided that was a bad idea. He’ll be reevaluated in New York.

Vientos and MJ Melendez have been alternating starts of late. Vientos played over Melendez in four straight games from May 27-31, but since then, Melendez has gotten the nod in three out of five games. Vientos can reemerge as a regular if he gets hot, but he’s batting just .218/.253/.378 right now.

Severino has been cut loose to pursue a more lucrative opportunity overseas in Japan, according to The Athletic’s Will Sammon. The 31-year-old passed through waivers unclaimed after being removed from New York’s 40-man roster last week. He didn’t end up making an appearance for the Mets after signing a minor league contract last offseason.

There was some thought that Polanco would be ready to rejoin New York’s lineup earlier this week, but he’s going to get a few additional rehab contests under his belt to ensure that he’s ready from a physical standpoint before the club brings him back. The 32-year-old will have to manage a lingering Achilles issue for the remainder of the season before determining whether to undergo a surgical procedure.