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New York Mets News: Michael Cuddyer To Be Activated Monday

By Kenneth Teape

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New York Mets News: The Mets have deemed Michael Cuddyer ready and healthy to return to the club Monday in time for their series against the Colorado Rockies. But, will his role be changed this time around?

The New York Mets will be getting another boost to their bench and lineup Monday, as Michael Cuddyer is set to be activated off of the 15-day disabled list. There were rumors that Cuddyer could be activated in time for the weekend series the Mets just finished up with the Tampa Bay Rays, but the Mets decided to hold him out. Coincidentally, he will be making his return against the team the Mets signed him away from, as the Mets begin a four-game series with the Colorado Rockies Monday night.

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Cuddyer is working his way back from a deep bruise in his kneecap, but he did little to warrant coming off of the DL. In two rehab games, Cuddyer went 0-for-7 with two walks at Class A Port St. Lucie. He put a scare into the Mets when he fouled a ball off his foot Thursday, causing difficulties in putting a shoe on according to manager Terry Collins. It must not have been too bad, or else the Mets would not be bringing him back to the major league club.

Surprisingly to some, Cuddyer will also not be guaranteed playing time. Since Cuddyer went on the DL July 21st, the Mets have made a number of upgrades to their lineup. Juan Uribe and Kelly Johnson added depth and versatility, but the biggest addition was Yoenis Cespedes from the Detroit Tigers. He will be in the lineup everyday either in left field or center field. If the Mets are willing to cut into the playing time of reigning gold glove winner Juan Lagares in centerfield, they should be willing to cut into the under performing Cuddyer in left.

Right now, it seems that Cuddyer will be a backup for the left-handed hitting Curtis Granderson and Lucas Duda in right field and first base respectively.

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“Other than that, we have no particular schedule or [know] how much he’s going to play. As you always say, they dictate a lot. You hit good, you’re in there every day. You don’t hit good, somebody else is,” said Collins.

Right now, Granderson and Duda are hitting well. They are providing a lot of power to the Mets lineup, and Cespedes wasn’t acquired to be a platoon player. Cuddyer will have to earn his playing time for a Mets team that has upgraded immensely since he was last in the fold.

While figuring out Cuddyer’s playing time will be a daily question for Collins, the Mets have to figure something before then; who will be sent down? The two most likely candidates are Michael Conforto and Eric Campbell. Could the Mets go against their original thinking when it comes to their top hitting prospect Conforto, who they said would only be in the major leagues if there was an everyday spot for him in the lineup? ESPN New York Mets’ beat writer Adam Rubin seems to think there could be a chance of that happening.

The Mets keeping Conforto with the major league team would be a little bit of a surprise, as they had always said his development is what is important. But, in the midst of a playoff race, the Mets could change their mindset, as having their best 25 players on the roster should trump development at this point in the season.

Regardless of who the Mets send down Monday, the stay will be short in the minor leagues. Expect whoever the Mets to send down to be back up with the team in September once rosters expand with the minor league season ending.

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