The New York Mets continue to struggle through a difficult 2026 season, sitting at the bottom of the National League East standings as of Monday, with only the San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies holding worse records. A turnaround appears unlikely as injuries and underperformance have hampered both the pitching rotation and the lineup, contributing to the team's ongoing challenges.
Despite the overall struggles, rookie outfielders Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing have emerged as positive factors. Ewing, 21, who has been in the major leagues for just over a month, has shown resilience amid the team’s difficulties. Speaking ahead of a game postponed due to rain on Monday against the Chicago Cubs, Ewing acknowledged the challenge of maintaining focus and motivation while facing ongoing losing results. “You’ve got to show up every single day,” Ewing said. “Everyone in this room is trying to win every day and putting their best foot forward whenever they’re here. There are gonna be ups and downs. Those are gonna happen, and it’s impossible to avoid them. I’m gonna keep showing up.”
Monday’s game, originally scheduled against Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga, was set to feature Ewing in the lineup before the postponement; the doubleheader makeup is planned for Wednesday. The Mets have been deliberate about managing Ewing’s exposure to left-handed pitching given his struggles in that area—he has a .437 OPS against southpaws compared to .823 against right-handed pitchers. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza emphasized the importance of continued playing time for the young outfielder. “It’s big,” Mendoza said of Ewing’s matchups against lefties. “That’s part of the development at this level. I’ve said from the beginning, he’d get some starts against lefties. We had some tough ones here and there, but I feel good about what he brings to the table. The more at-bats you give this guy, he’ll benefit from it.”
Ewing’s early season trajectory has been a tale of highs and lows. After beginning his tenure with initial success, he endured a difficult 13-game stretch during which he collected just eight hits in 44 at-bats, including 19 strikeouts and no extra-base hits. However, he has rebounded, hitting well in his last 17 games. An American League scout who has monitored Ewing noted that despite the slump, the young player has managed to avoid a prolonged downturn that might have resulted in a demotion to Triple-A Syracuse. The scout suggested that persevering through the slump may ultimately aid Ewing’s development, even amid the team’s losing record.
The Mets are increasingly relying on their younger players to evaluate the club’s future potential as the current season drags on. For Ewing, maintaining a positive mindset has been key. “A lot of growth happens when a person or team hits adversity,” he stated. “We’re growing. Every single day, I act like we’re on a 20-game winning streak, no matter what. That gives you confidence. I’ve always believed that and as a competitor, that’s what you have to do.”