Ronny Mauricio maintains the schedule spot despite the return return of Mark Vientos

PITTSBURGH – The return of Mark Vientos from the injured list was not enough on Friday to release a Rookie -Infielder from his schedule.

Ronny Mauricio was certainly vulnerable, given the abundance of infield options of the METS and the need to offer him regularly playing time after he had missed several knee operations last season.

But instead, the club chose to take Jared Young to Triple-A Syracuse.

Mauricio, who stood in the starting line-up as the second baseman in the ugly 9-1 loss of the Mets for the Pirates, perhaps saved his schedule with a 5-out-13 sprint over the previous three games of the Mets.

He was 1-out-3, including 0-out-2 with runners in score position, with a walk and a strikeout on Friday.

Carlos Mendoza started Vientos (0-out-4 with two strikeouts) as the DH, with Brett Baty (2-out-4) on third base.

The manager is optimistic that there are still plenty of battles for Mauricio, who started playing with a .226/.273/.403 Slash line with three gays and 21 strikeouts in 62 batters.

“Keeping a man like Mauricio who can offer some sort of versatility, the way he has played lately, we have the feeling that there will be enough battles for him to keep him on the roster,” said Mendoza. “Brett Baty keeps playing well, so we just have the feeling that we are now better with the way the selection is built.”

Young, who served as a left-handed DH, owned a .171/.227/.415 Slash line with three gay people and four RBIs in 41 barriers.

The adjustment of Jeff McNeil to Speelcentrum has created opportunities for Mauricio on second base.

Mauricio can also play third and short stop.

“Our goal is to win baseball games, but also to understand that we have many young players who need development,” said Mendoza, and noted that Francisco Alvarez and Luisangel Acuña have been chosen for Syracuse last week. “As long as we feel that there will be a battle and some playing time for them, we are comfortable.”

Lefty Reliever Richard Lovelady rejected an outright to Syracuse and became a free agent.

Lovelady was signed on Monday and appeared in one match for the Mets.

Austin Warren Was cooled for Syracuse for a new arm in the bullpen after throwing 2 ¹/₃ Shutout innings in Relief on Thursday against the Braves.

The Mets remembered Lefty Reliever Colin Poche.

José Azócar Signed a Minor League contract with the METS and will report to Syracuse.