The Mets may be without Mark Vientos for a bit after he exited Thursday’s game against the Royals.
Vientos was hit in the right hand by a Michael Wacha pitch as he checked a swing during the second inning.
After immediately dropping his bat, he ran to the side in pain and crouched down, putting his head on the ground while his helmet fell off.
Vientos, who started at third base, eventually got up, but clearly still remained in serious pain as Mets third-base coach Tim Leiper came over to support him.
He walked to first base with help, but was taken out of the game for defense in the third inning.
The Mets shuffled their defensive arrangements after the injury, as Tyrone Taylor entered the game in center field while AJ Ewing moved to second base.
Brett Baty, who was at second base, moved to third in place of Vientos.
Vientos entered Thursday with a .211 average this season and a .641 OPS.
