Mauricio went 0-for-2 with a stolen base in the Mets' Grapefruit League opener against the Marlins on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

After reaching on a throwing error by Connor Norby in the second inning, Mauricio promptly swiped second base. It was an encouraging sign for the 24-year-old infielder. Prior to missing the entire 2024 season after ACL surgery, Mauricio had gone 31-for-38 on the basepaths over 142 games in 2023 split between Triple-A Syracuse and the majors, and per Statcast he recorded a sprint speed in the 60th percentile. In his return last season, he went just 4-for-4 in 61 big-league games on steal attempts with a 15th percentile sprint speed. If Mauricio has regained his wheels and is more confident in the health of his knee a year further removed from surgery, he could make a surprising impact in the SB category if he's able to earn consistent playing time.

Mauricio will be one of the top candidates to replace Francisco Lindor (hand) at shortstop early in the season, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Vidal Brujan appears to be the other likely replacement for Lindor, with Grae Kessinger and Jackson Cluff also in the mix. Mauricio missed the entire 2024 season due to a torn ACL and struggled to make consistent contact last year in the majors after his return, managing a .662 OPS in 184 plate appearances with the Mets while mainly playing third base. With the injury another year further behind him, the 24-year-old may be staring at his last chance to regain the upside that made him one of the organization's top prospects prior to blowing out his knee. Mauricio should at least be locked into a bench spot on the Opening Day roster, even if doesn't become the primary replacement for Lindor.

Mauricio has just six plate appearances in September, going 1-for-5 with a single and a walk.

EDGE Analysis

The 24-year-old infielder disappeared from the second base/third base mix down the stretch, while Brett Baty and Mark Vientos took on near-everyday roles. Per Tim Britton of The Athletic, Mauricio remained on the big-league roster rather than being swapped out for a player that manager Carlos Mendoza might have been more willing to use to preserve his final minor-league option for 2026 -- had he spent three more days on a minor-league roster, the option would have been burned. Through 58 games this year for the Mets, Mauricio is slashing .231/.293/.381 with six homers and four steals, but he still appears to be part of the organization's long-term plans.

Mauricio is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game in Washington.

EDGE Analysis

On the bench for a third straight contest, Mauricio looks to have faded into more of a part-time role after he had been serving as a near-everyday player coming out of the All-Star break. The downturn in playing time comes while Mauricio has mustered a weak .154/.214/.154 slash line since the beginning of August. The Mets appear to be prioritizing Brett Baty and Mark Vientos ahead of Mauricio while the former two players have been more productive at the plate so far this month.

Mauricio is not in the lineup for Tuesday's contest versus the Nationals.

EDGE Analysis

It's the second consecutive game that Mauricio has been absent from the lineup after he had started the three prior to that. Brett Baty will hold down third base for the Mets.

Mauricio is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mariners.

EDGE Analysis

Mauricio will head to the bench for the series finale after he started in each of the Mets' last three contests while going 2-for-11 with a stolen base and a run. With Mauricio bowing out of the lineup, Mark Vientos will pick up a start at the hot corner.

Mauricio isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

Mauricio will pick out a seat on the bench Saturday after going 0-for-10 with two walks and four strikeouts to begin the month of August. While he sits, Mark Vientos will start at the hot corner with Starling Marte working as the DH.

Mauricio is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Guardians.

EDGE Analysis

Mauricio had drawn nine straight starts at third base against right-handed pitching, but he'll begin Wednesday's contest on the bench as the Guardians send righty Gavin Williams to the bump. Brett Baty will patrol the hot corner and bat ninth for the Mets.

Mauricio is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

Mauricio will head to the bench while Mark Vientos starts at third base. The acquisition of Cedric Mullins at the trade deadline will limit Jeff McNeil to primarily second base, and in turn limit Mauricio to a committee at the hot corner with Vientos and Brett Baty.

Mauricio went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Monday's loss to the Padres.

EDGE Analysis

The switch-hitting infielder took Padres closer Robert Suarez deep in the top of the ninth inning to tie the game at 6-6, only for San Diego to walk it off in the bottom of the frame. Mauricio has homered in back-to-back contests, and over 16 games in July he's slashing .292/.358/.563 with four doubles, three home runs, one steal four RBI and 10 runs as he stakes a claim to a strong-side platoon role at third base.