New York Mets: Nimmo’s injury “pain in the neck” for team
By Ed Stein
Wednesday night in Philadelphia the New York Mets were without Brandon Nimmo due to a sore neck. It cost them then, and it may cost them in the future.
The New York Mets wrapped up an important three-game series against NL East Division favorites, Philadelphia. They were only able to win one of the three games, but they might have taken the series if outfielder Brandon Nimmo was available to play Wednesday night. Instead, they were on the losing end of a 3-2 score.
Aside from the fact that if healthy left-handed hitting Nimmo would have started the game against right-handed pitcher Jake Arietta, there were several opportunities for him to come off the bench to provide a much-needed hit. Instead, he sat out the game with a stiff neck. A frustrated Nimmo described how he’s feeling to reporters:
"“I am about 25 percent better, I can look to the right, can’t look to the left or up and down very well still, so I wasn’t going to be any help today. – Brandon Nimmo to NY Post"
The Mets had relace Nimmo in the lineup with Keon Broxton, who went 0-for-4. That included a strikeout to end the game with the bases loaded. Manager Mikey Calloway didn’t have anyone left on the bench who was better than Broxton to use as a pinch hitter. The Mets lost 3-2.
If Nimmo doesn’t get better soon, he’s likely headed to the injured list. That would be a big problem for the Mets. After starting the season, a horrid 2-for-30, Nimmo was on a hot streak. Over his previous eight games, before leaving with the injury Monday night, he was hitting at a .393 clip with three home runs, seven RBI, and an OPS of 1.321.
More from Empire Writes Back
- Caesars New York Promo Code: Win $250 Bonus GUARANTEED on ANY Bet!
- Last Chance Caesars Promo: Claim $1,250 Bonus for ANY MLB Bet!
- Caesars New York Promo Code Gives TWO Chances to Win Betting on Your Yankees!
- PointsBet New York Promo: FIVE $100 Bonus Bets to Back the Yankees or Mets!
- Caesars NY Promo: $1,250 Bonus to Celebrate the Return of Judge!
The Mets would then need another outfielder. They have three veterans with extensive Major League experience at Triple-A Syracuse. 35-year-old Gregor Blanco, who hasn’t hit over .246 over the last three seasons, 38-year-old Rajai Davis, a .239 hitter over the same span, and 33-year-old Carlos Gomez, who hit .208 in 360 at-bats with Tampa Bay last year. The trio isn’t tearing up the minors either this year with Gomez batting .205, Davis .200, and Blanco .184.
General Manage Brodie Van Wagenen said the best 25 players in spring training made the opening day roster. Since none of the three did, it’s safe to assume they weren’t good enough. The question is: Are any of the three the 26th, 27th, or even 30th best player the Mets had this spring?”
Blanco, Davis, and Gomez are all good depth players, but with the Mets pitching staff struggling mightily, the team needs a big bat to replace Nimmo in the lineup. They are already one starter down with co-third basemen Todd Frazier, and Jed Lowrie out with injuries. Losing Nimmo creates another hole in the lineup for the New York Mets, this one hurts a little more.
Yankees - Bird injury the last straw. dark. Next
In case anyone was wondering, Tim Tebow is 6-for-37 (.162), with no home runs and 15 strikeouts at Syracuse this season.