Jared Young, the New York Mets' utility player, will miss 6-8 weeks after undergoing surgery for a meniscus tear in his left knee, per manager Carlos Mendoza. The injury comes as the team battles a seven-game losing streak, ranking last in the National League East with a .182 team batting average. Young, who had batted 7-for-20 this season, was a key contributor to the Mets' offense before the slump began.

Mendoza confirmed Young's absence will force the Mets to reshuffle their lineup, with Brett Baty moving to first base and MJ Melendez replacing him as a designated hitter. The timing is critical, as star player Juan Soto remains sidelined with a calf strain and third baseman Jorge Polanco continues to play through an Achilles injury. Both are expected to return during the Mets' upcoming nine-game homestand starting Tuesday against the Minnesota Twins.

The injury deepens the Mets' struggles against right-handed pitchers like Shohei Ohtani, who dominated them in their recent 4-1 loss at Dodger Stadium. Polanco's Achilles issue flared again after Tuesday's game, leading to his benching for Wednesday's matchup. Young's absence removes a versatile defender who had filled multiple roles in the shorthanded lineup.

With Soto and Polanco also trending toward returns, the Mets face a precarious balancing act to regain offensive consistency. Their manager emphasized that Young's recovery timeline remains uncertain but expressed confidence in the team's resilience: "We've got to adapt and rely on our depth," he said. The roster's fragility underscores the high stakes of their June homestand, where they'll host four of their next five games.