Seeking to strengthen the bench for a potential postseason run, the New York Mets promoted Luisangel Acuna from Triple-A Syracuse, the team announced Saturday.
The younger brother of Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr., Luisangel Acuna was in the starting lineup for his major league debut Saturday in a 6-4 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. He played shortstop and batted ninth, going 2-for-4. Acuña recorded his first hit with a single to center field off Taijuan Walker leading off the fourth and started the ninth with a single to center off Carlos Estevez.
"Good to see him fight and get us going in the ninth," Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. "I thought he was good."
Acuna has played second base, shortstop and center field at Syracuse, where he has posted a .258 average, 7 home runs, 50 RBIs and 40 stolen bases.
The Mets acquired Acuna, 22, in a trade on July 30, 2023, when New York dealt pitcher Max Scherzer and cash to the Texas Rangers.
Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor reported back tightness Friday night in the Mets' 11-3 win over the Phillies and left the game early. He is considered day-to-day. Second baseman Jeff McNeil is out the rest of the regular season with a broken wrist.
Outfielder DJ Stewart was sent down to make room for Acuña on New York's roster.
The Associated Press and Field Level Media contributed to this report.