New York Mets: Juan Lagares Exits Saturday’s Game, Suffers Oblique Injury
New York Mets outfielder Juan Lagars had to leave Saturday’s spring training game against the Atlanta Braves after straining his left oblique. His availability for Opening Day is now uncertain.
There is now a chance that the New York Mets begin the 2017 season without one of their only true center fielders.
In the top of the third inning of Saturday’s game against the Atlanta Braves in Kissimmee, Mets center fielder Juan Lagares was attempting to beat out a ground ball he hit to third base. It was clear that he was in pain as he tried to reach first base safely. Marc Craig of Newsday reported that Lagares actually had felt his oblique tighten on the previous pitch.
Lagares felt his oblique tighten as he was legging out what he thought was a double down the RF line. Grounded out on next pitch, told TC.
— Marc Carig (@MarcCarig) March 25, 2017
Mets manager Terry Collins decided to pull Lagares from the game before the bottom of the third inning. Shortly after, it was reported that Lagares had a left oblique injury.
Mets CF Juan Lagares left today's game with a left oblique strain
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) March 25, 2017
It is unclear right now how serious the oblique strain is. The good news is that after the game, Lagares seemed optimistic about his readiness for the start of the season. Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reported that Lagares said that he was not experiencing that much discomfort.
"I think I’m going to be ready," Lagares said in reference to the regular season. "There’s not a lot" of discomfort in his oblique. #Mets
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) March 25, 2017
This does not mean that he will definitely be ready for the start of the regular season, however. The Mets are going to have to be very careful with Lagares over the next week.
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A torn thumb ligament caused Lagares to miss a decent amount of games last season. Injuries have been a major problem for him over the past few years. Even if he thinks he is ready for Opening Day, the team has to make sure that he is healthy enough to play. Oblique injuries often do not go away quickly. There is a chance that Lagares could have a lingering issue throughout the season.
If Lagares does have to miss time, the Mets will be forced to reconsider their options in center field. Curtis Granderson is already projected to be the team’s Opening Day center fielder. In 2016, Granderson made 32 starts at this position. He has mostly been playing right field for the past few seasons, but is still capable of playing center field, his original position.
Lagares was supposed to be Granderson’s primary backup who would mainly play when the Mets faced a left-handed pitcher. Without Lagares, the Mets do not have a right-handed hitting outfielder on the bench that they can turn to.
The Mets might have to play Michael Conforto occasionally in center fielder if Lagares ends up on the disabled list. Conforto, who has been hitting very well in spring training, only made five starts at this position last season. The Mets need to be prepared in the event that Granderson needs a day off, or even gets hurt.
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Because of this, Conforto will probably get plenty of reps in center field this week in the remaining exhibition games that the Mets have. In the coming days, we will find out how serious Lagares’ left oblique strain is. Hopefully, he will not have to miss any significant time.