NEW YORK — When a 21-year-old with just 12 Triple-A games is called up to the majors, eyebrows naturally raise. Is it desperation? A panic move? The New York Mets are quick to say no—and they're putting their faith in center fielder A.J. Ewing, promoted Tuesday ahead of a series against the Detroit Tigers, to prove them right.

"We wouldn't have made this call if we didn't believe A.J. was ready," said Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns. "The big league club's situation and the opportunity here right now certainly played a role, but first and foremost, we trust his readiness."

That opportunity came because the Mets' outfield is suddenly thin. Center fielder Luis Robert Jr. landed on the injured list with a herniated lumbar disc, joining a growing list of key position players sidelined: shortstop Francisco Lindor, first baseman Jorge Polanco, infielder Ronny Mauricio, and first baseman/outfielder Jared Young. The pitching staff isn't immune either, with right-handed starter Kodai Senga and left-handed reliever A.J. Minter—recently pulled from his rehab assignment—also on the IL.

Some injuries are just bad luck. Mauricio fractured his thumb on a hustle play. Others reflect the toll of high mileage on players over 30, like Lindor. Pitchers' elbow issues often stem from today's game, which prizes velocity and arm actions that can lead to torn ulnar collateral ligaments. But the pattern of position player injuries—and their frequency—is hard to ignore. Juan Soto and Lindor both strained their calves just weeks apart.

Stearns, who has taken big risks on injury-prone players in recent seasons, rarely opens up about his process. So when he admitted he might need to rethink the types of players he brings into the organization, it was a telling moment.

"We absolutely have to look at our risk assessment on injured players, or players who get injured once they're here," Stearns said. "We know we're taking a level of risk when we bring in players with injury histories. We're feeling that risk right now, and it hasn't helped that a number of our players..."

For Mets fans, the hope is that Ewing's raw talent—and a fresh approach—can spark a turnaround, even as the injury list grows. After all, sometimes the boldest moves are the ones that pay off.