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New York Mets Rumors: Michael Cuddyer Heading To The DL?

By Kenneth Teape

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New York Mets Rumors: The Mets offense has been decimated by injuries all season; could they be adding yet another name to the list in Michael Cuddyer?

The New York Mets’ offense has been a mitigated disaster this season. They have struggled to do anything well, ranking last in the National League in runs scored, with only the Chicago White Sox being worse in all of baseball. Their batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentages aren’t much better either, as they rank last, 25th and 29th in all of baseball as well.

Part of the reason for the lack of success in the Mets lineup is all of the injuries they have endured. David Wright has appeared in only eight games, while Travis d’Arnaud isn’t much better with 18 games played. Daniel Murphy also found himself on the DL, in addition to guys like Juan Lagares battling injuries right now, but still playing in the lineup.

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It looks like the Mets could be adding another player to the DL in the coming days, as outfielder Michael Cuddyer is moving closer to a DL stint, according to ESPN New York. Cuddyer has been dealing with this knee pain for quite some time but has tried battling through the injury. It has severely hampered him though, as he has been able to play in only six games in July and it looks like it could finally be pushing him to the sidelines.

Cuddyer was forced from the 18-inning marathon with the St. Louis Cardinals because of the knee pain, and it seems like the Mets will be making a last ditch effort to see if they can keep their biggest free agent signing from this past winter off the disabled list. The problem is, the knee pain gets worse as the game goes on, making Cuddyer a liability when he is on the field as the game gets to crunch time. Also, the knee swells up on him afterwards, which is painful in it’s own right.

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Manager Terry Collins says the last ditch treatment will take place Monday as the Mets continue their road trip to take on the Washington Nationals. Nobody’s quite sure what the treatment is, not even Cuddyer, who said, “I think we’ll try it tomorrow, whatever that is. I think that will be our last effort to try. Hopefully that works and I continue to battle. The last couple of days, as the game wears on, it gets tougher and tougher to battle through it.”

Having the veteran in the clubhouse is nice, but having him hampered by the knee doesn’t help out anyone. Cuddyer has actually found some success in July with all the rest he is getting, so maybe a DL stint isn’t the worst thing for him at this time. He is dealing with a severe bone bruise below the kneecap, and a little more than two weeks rest on the 15-day DL could do him well. He will be able to continue getting treatment for his injury, while also getting some more rest for the stretch run in which the Mets will desperately need him to pick up the production at the plate.

“It’s much of the same really. It’s concerning. We’re trying different things to be able to get through it and get relief. To start the game, it’s okay. And then as the game progresses, it gets tougher and tougher. When I took [second base in the eight on] that passed ball, that ball in the dirt, it got pretty bad,” Cuddyer said.

Jun 21, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; New York Mets left fielder Michael Cuddyer (23) reacts after grounding into a game ending double play against the Atlanta Braves during the ninth inning at Turner Field. The Braves defeated the Mets 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

While it seems like this is something Cuddyer can’t injury any worse by playing, it is something that he could get some relief from by resting. Going on the DL seems to be the best move for everyone involved, as the Mets already carrying a short bench and cannot afford to keep around a player that isn’t available more than a handful of times in a week.

Along with Cuddyer to the DL rumors picking up, expect the ones surrounding top prospect Michael Conforto to pick up as well. If Cuddyer indeed needs a DL stint, Conforto will be someone fans clamor for as there will be an everyday spot in the lineup available, and the other players they have used this season have been underwhelming to put it nicely.

Next: 5 Mets That Could Be Traded At The Deadline

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