Mets Include McNeil on NLCS Roster; Dodgers Remove Vesia and Rojas, Add Kiermaier and Honeywell

Jeff McNeil has been added to the New York Mets’ roster for the NL Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers after healing from a broken right wrist.

The Dodgers left pitcher Alex Vesia and infielder Miguel Rojas off their roster for the series that kicked off on Sunday, while outfielder Kevin Kiermaier and pitcher Brent Honeywell were brought in after missing the NLDS.

McNeil suffered his wrist injury on September 6 when he was hit by a pitch from Cincinnati’s Brandon Williamson. He made his return this weekend playing for Scottsdale in the Arizona Fall League, going 1 for 4 with a walk at second base on Friday and 1 for 5 with an RBI single while playing right field on Saturday.

“I just wanted to get through it healthy and without any pain. The wrist felt good,” McNeil shared. “I had a solid first at-bat, too. It was a six or seven-pitch battle, and I got a base hit. It felt great. I felt like myself again. As long as I could swing the bat without pain, I wanted to be here.”

McNeil, who was the 2022 major league batting champion, grew up in Santa Barbara, just a couple of hours from Dodger Stadium, where he used to attend games as a Dodgers fan.

I remember when I got called up in 2018; this was one of the first places I got to play, and it was really cool and special for me to be on that field, he shared.

Right-handed reliever Adam Ottavino has been removed from the Mets’ roster.

Vesia experienced cramping in his rib cage while warming up for the eighth inning during Friday’s 2-0 victory over San Diego in Game 5 of the Division Series. The 28-year-old underwent an MRI, and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed it was an intercostal injury.

“I think he could still be in the mix if we’re lucky enough to make it to the World Series,” Roberts mentioned.

With Vesia out, Anthony Banda is now the only left-handed pitcher on the Dodgers roster.

Rojas has been struggling with a left-thigh strain, which kept him out of the last two games against the Padres. Kiké Hernández stepped in for him and had three hits over those two games, including a solo homer in Game 5.

“He’s a vital part of our team,” Roberts said. “He can play, but we feel that his elite shortstop defense is a bit compromised physically right now.”

Tommy Edman will take over at shortstop for the entire NLCS, according to Roberts. He was brought in from St. Louis at the trade deadline on July 30.

Kiermaier was picked up from Toronto at the trade deadline, and Honeywell was claimed off waivers from Pittsburgh on July 13.

All-Star first baseman Freddie Freeman is in the Dodgers’ lineup for Game 1, batting third. He’s been dealing with a sprained right ankle that limited his play in the NLDS.

“It’s better than it was yesterday,” Roberts said. “I expect him to start and finish the game, but we’ll make a defensive switch if needed.”

The Dodgers are rolling with 13 pitchers and 13 position players.

New York has kept rookie infielder Luisangel Acuña, who is the brother of Atlanta star Ronald Acuña Jr. The Mets are carrying 12 pitchers.