Mets' Alonso reinstated from IL well ahead of projected timeline

The New York Mets are getting their star slugger back far sooner than expected.

New York announced Sunday that first baseman Pete Alonso has been reinstated from the 10-day injured list.

Alonso is jumping right back into the action, as he's batting fourth and playing first base in Sunday's series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Mets placed Alonso on the IL on June 9, two days after he'd sustained a left wrist sprain and bone bruise when he was hit by a pitch from Atlanta's Charlie Morton. It was initially anticipated that Alonso would miss at least three-to-four weeks.

Instead, the two-time All-Star missed just eight games while spending only the minimum 10 days on the IL.

Alonso, 28, has been one of the underachieving Mets' few consistent bats this season. In addition to his National League-leading 22 home runs, he enters Sunday sporting team-best marks in slugging (.546), OPS (.872), RBIs (49), and runs scored (41). He sat alone atop the overall home run leaderboard until Saturday when he was passed by Shohei Ohtani.

The Mets optioned first baseman Mark Vientos to Triple-A Syracuse in a corresponding roster move. Vientos, 23, had split time at first with Mark Canha during Alonso's absence.