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New York Mets News: Kirk Nieuwenhuis To The DL, Michael Conforto Recalled

By Kenneth Teape

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Even though the New York Mets find themselves tied with the Washington Nationals atop the NL East, they are adding to their already lengthy DL. This time it will be outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis getting sidelined as he was placed on the 15-day DL with a pinched nerve in his back. He received an anti-inflammatory shot Friday, but continued to feel discomfort so the Mets decided to place him on the DL instead of forcing it.

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This was an easy decision for the Mets to make, as they upgraded their lineup and bench greatly at the trade deadline. The addition of Juan Uribe and Kelly Johnson improved both their infield and outfield depth, but the Yoenis Cespedes trade is what really improved their lineup. The Cespedes trade also pushes Juan Lagares into a platoon role of sorts, meaning the services of Nieuwenhuis’ defense at the end of games isn’t as needed at this time.

Mets fans will be excited to hear who will be taking Nieuwenhuis’ place, as it will be top hitting prospect Michael Conforto.

Conforto was demoted to Triple-A Las Vegas once the trade was completed with Cespedes, as the Mets needed a roster spot. Conforto will not fill the same role as Nieuwenhuis though, as he will be in the lineup on nearly a daily basis according to manager Terry Collins.

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“Michael’s got a very, very good idea of the strike zone. He’s got a very good swing. His plate discipline is outstanding. One of the things he’s experienced is that at the big-league level, when you’re a rookie, the balls that are close to the plate that may not be strikes in the minor leagues, they may be strikes up here. That buffer zone that they call on the plate, he’s got to start protecting it a little bit. But he’s going to be very good. He’s a good-looking hitter. He can hit to all fields. He’s got power.

“Michael’s got a very, very good idea of the strike zone,” Collins said about Conforto. “He’s got a very good swing. His plate discipline is outstanding. One of the things he’s experienced is that at the big-league level, when you’re a rookie, the balls that are close to the plate that may not be strikes in the minor leagues, they may be strikes up here. That buffer zone that they call on the plate, he’s got to start protecting it a little bit. But he’s going to be very good. He’s a good-looking hitter. He can hit to all fields. He’s got power.”

That is high praise for the Mets prospect, which he deserves. But, his time with the big league club may be short lived, as Michael Cuddyer has a chance to be taken off the DL in the second half of the Mets’ Florida road trip when they visit the Tampa Bay Rays. Conforto’s time with the big leagues is essentially tied to Cuddyer’s DL stint, as he will not have an everyday spot in their lineup once Cuddyer is reinstated.

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