New York Mets: Yoenis Cespedes suffers a setback on hamstring

New York Mets slugging outfielder Yoenis Cespedes has been sidelined since April 28 due to a hamstring injury. While playing in a rehab game on Friday night, he suffered a setback that will have an effect on when he is ready to return to the team.

The Mets have been struggling lately, and this at least partly has to do with the fact that their best hitter has been hurt for the past month. Thankfully, Yoenis Cespedes is getting closer to returning.

Cespedes left the Mets’ game against the Atlanta Braves back on April 27 because he was experiencing pain in his left hamstring. It was later revealed that he had a left hamstring strain, and the Mets placed him on the 10-day disabled list.

This past weekend, Cespedes was making a rehab start for Class A St. Lucie. While running the bases, he started to feel pain in his right quad. He was taken out of the game after playing six innings. Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reported that because of the right quad soreness, the Mets decided to shut Cespedes down until at least Tuesday.

Per Mets: Yoenis Cespedes felt right quad soreness running the bases last night in PSL. He will not take any live ABs until at least Tues.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) May 28, 2017

Just when it looked like Cespedes was getting close to returning, this setback happened. Obviously, the situation is very frustrating for him.

He is a natural competitor who wants to be out on the field helping his team win. Especially considering how badly the Mets have played since he has been out, having Cespedes back in the lineup would give the team a much-needed boost.

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Even though the offense has not necessarily had a problem producing runs lately, getting their best hitter back would certainly not hurt.

The Mets have been involved in a lot of close games recently. In the past week alone, the team has lost three one-run games. One swing of the bat by Cespedes could have put the Mets ahead in each of those games. He is someone who just has that kind of game-changing power.

Following this setback, the plan is to have Cespedes return sometime within the next 10 days. According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, Mets general manager Sandy Alderson stated that he hopes to have Cespedes back with the team in a week to 10 days.

Alderson says his hope for Cespedes is a week to 10 days for a return. Would hope to have him DH in Texas next week.
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) May 29, 2017

If Cespedes is ready to return by next week, it would make sense to have him be the Mets designated hitter when they visit the Texas Rangers. That two-game series against the Rangers starts next Tuesday. There would be no reason to have Cespedes play the field when he could DH instead.