New York Mets infielder Wilmer Flores left Wednesday night’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies with a back issue, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.
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Flores Dealing With Stiff Back
Wednesday, Sept. 30
After getting on-base with an infield single in the top of the fourth inning, Flores made his way to third base via a sacrifice and wild pitch, only to leave the game for fellow infielder Ruben Tejada.
After the game, Flores said he should be good to play on Friday, according to DiComo.
With the National League East already wrapped up and the Mets battling the Los Angeles Dodgers for home-field advantage in the National League Division Series, Wednesday night proved costly for New York.
Earlier in the game, star outfielder Yoenis Cespedes left the game after being hit in the hand by a pitch. New York later revealed he had no broken bones, according to SportsCenter.
How Flores’ Injury Would Impact Mets’ Playoff Chances
Wednesday, Sept. 30
The writing seemed to be on the wall for Flores, though, who had been sitting out since Sept. 26 because manager Terry Collins said the coaching staff felt he appeared to “run out of gas,” according to Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News.
Flores has split time with Tejada for most of the season as they have both appeared mainly at shortstop and sometimes at second base. If Flores continues to miss time, Tejada will start at shortstop, while Kelly Johnson could be his backup.
Johnson is the only other Met to appear at shortstop this season, making just one start.
Famously seeing a trade fall through that would have sent him to the Milwaukee Brewers at the deadline, Flores has provided power at the position with 16 home runs—fourth on the team. But Tejada has a better glove, and the Mets have enough punch in their lineup to get along just fine without Flores if he does continue to sit out.
Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.
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