New York Mets center fielder Juan Lagares is dealing with a torn ligament in his thumb and was placed on the disabled list Thursday, according to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York. It is unclear when he’ll return to the field.
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Lagares, Mets Elect to Avoid Surgery for Now
Thursday, June 16
The Mets have elected to let Lagares sit on the DL for the next 10 days and rest before determining if he’ll need surgery, per Rubin, who added he’ll be out two months if his thumb ends up needing to go under the knife.
Lagares Battled Injury for over a Week Before Going on DL
Lagares originally suffered the injury on June 4 against the Miami Marlins. He made a diving catch but landed on his hand. He was scratched from the lineup Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates when his thumb flared up before the game, according to Rubin.
New York called up utility player Ty Kelly from Triple-A Las Vegas in place of the 27-year-old, per Rubin.
Regardless of his thumb injury, Lagares has had trouble seeing the ball at the plate since May 28. He was batting .310 at the time, but his average has since dropped to .289. He has only six RBI on the season.
This is another tough blow for a Mets team that has been on a slide recently. New York comes into Thursday having dropped six of its last 10 despite beating the Pirates Wednesday.
Lagares needs this rest for his thumb as well as to regain the form he had early in the season.
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