Iglesias stepping up at second is ‘perfect timing’ for Mets

WASHINGTON — When Triple-A Syracuse manager Dick Scott’s voice crackled over the phone last Thursday evening, Jose Iglesias responded with real emotion on the other end of the line. Iglesias, an 11-year veteran infielder, had seen plenty of prior time in the Majors. But he hadn’t reached the game’s top level since 2022. At 34 years old, it was natural for him to wonder if he ever would again.

Then, Scott called. Iglesias welled up. And in half a week since, he’s done just about everything possible to make the most of this rebirth. Starting over Jeff McNeil at second base against the Nationals, Iglesias finished 3-for-5 with the go-ahead RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base in the Mets’ 8-7 win on Monday night at Nationals Park. He’s 5-for-11 since joining the Mets.

“He tells me every day he feels like a rookie,” third baseman Mark Vientos said. “That’s how excited he is.”

Vientos, another Met taking advantage of some newfound opportunity, added a solo homer and two runs scored, while Jake Diekman held on to convert the bullpen’s fourth save chance in its last 10 opportunities.

But it was Iglesias who put the Mets in that position to begin with, logging singles in each of his first three at-bats. In the second inning, Iglesias fought off a 97 mph MacKenzie Gore fastball well above the strike zone, shooting it into right field for a hit.

In the fourth, Iglesias put an inside-out swing on another Gore fastball that touched the inside corner, blooping it into center. And in the fifth, Iglesias added his most impactful hit of all, pulling a Dylan Floro changeup into left field for a go-ahead RBI single.

“That’s what he’s done throughout his career,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “This is a guy that’s going to put the ball in play. He’s going to use the whole field. He’s going to be aggressive in counts, and he got results today.”

Iglesias’ final hit wound up being the difference in the game, giving the Mets a one-run lead that they’d need every bit of. Adam Ottavino allowed two runs in the ninth before Diekman stranded the potential tying and winning runs to end things.

“It’s a great ‘W’ for us tonight,” Iglesias said.

For Iglesias personally, it was even more than that, considering the fact that this time last week, he was still in the Minors.

This, to him, seems a whole lot better.

“It’s the perfect timing for me to be on this great team that wants to win,” Iglesias said.

Known mostly for his glove throughout his career (despite a first-inning error on Monday), Iglesias has given the Mets some offensive punch since his callup. More than that, he’s offered effort.

On Saturday, after entering as a defensive replacement in the eighth inning of what appeared to be a blowout loss, Iglesias busted down the line on a routine ground ball. The resulting infield single plated a run, gave Pete Alonso a chance to follow with a two-run homer, and ultimately forced the Diamondbacks to bring their closer into the game.

Two nights later, Iglesias found himself back in the starting lineup for the second time in four games, once again at the expense of a slumping McNeil. While Mendoza has been careful not to call this a strict platoon between the right-handed-hitting Iglesias and the left-handed McNeil, the manager appears to be operating that way for now. And Iglesias is vindicating him with continued results.

“There are so many ways that you can contribute to a team — not necessarily with the bat or the defense, but the energy,” Iglesias said. “You keep pushing teammates and supporting them — it’s just about vibes.”

At Syracuse, Vientos said, Iglesias served as a fount of advice, imploring the younger infielder to “trust your ability” — something Vientos has done well of late given more consistent chances in the Majors. And while he won’t bat .455 forever, Iglesias believes he has plenty else to offer the Mets.

“It’s a privilege wearing this uniform,” he said. “Every single game matters so much for us. … I’m just proud to be part of it.”