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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. 

Continue for updates.

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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New York Mets third baseman David Wright will undergo surgery to repair a herniated disc in his neck on Thursday after previously being placed on the 15-day disabled list. 

ESPN.com’s Adam Rubin tweeted statements from the team and Wright on the decision and Wright’s teammate Noah Syndergaard reacted to the news:

The 33-year-old veteran was hitting .226 with seven home runs and 14 RBI prior to going on the DL.

While the Mets have yet to reveal a timetable for their captain’s return, MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo reported Tuesday that neck surgery could keep him out for the remainder of the season.

Losing the seven-time All Star for the rest of the 2016 campaign would be a major blow to New York’s lineup and depth, although it has experience in handling similar situations, as Wright played in just 38 regular-season games last year.

The 2012 season was the last time he appeared in more than 134 games, so the Mets have some contingency plans in place.

Wilmer Flores figures to get the bulk of the at-bats as Wright’s replacement at third base. Flores was a full-time starter at shortstop last season and hit 16 home runs, so it may not be a significant drop-off compared to how Wright was playing prior to landing on the DL.

The Mets also reacquired Kelly Johnson in a trade with the Atlanta Braves last week in a move that may have been made in anticipation of Wright’s ailment being a long-term issue.

Wright’s absence hurts from an on-field leadership perspective perhaps even more than it does in terms of his production, but the Mets have a roster loaded with World Series experience after last season’s run. That should keep them in playoff contention even without their captain.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter.

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New York Mets manager Terry Collins was reportedly not feeling well before the team’s game Sunday against the Milwaukee Brewers and was transported to the hospital, according to SNY’s Steve Gelbs. However, the manager has returned to the team.

Continue for updates.

Collins Comments on Health

Tuesday, June 14

Collins told reporters he “feels great” and that he’s “really glad it’s nothing serious.” Collins added that he was “disoriented for a minute” and that the doctors could not find an explanation for his illness other than potential dehydration.

Timeline for Collins’ Return Established

Monday, June 13

Mike Puma of the New York Post reported Collins will return to the team to manage Tuesday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Collins Taken to Hospital for Precautionary Tests

Sunday, June 12

ESPN.com’s Adam Rubin reported Collins was “alert,” according to Mets assistant general manager John Ricco. 

Puma reported Collins will be admitted to the hospital overnight for further testing.

“We’re just being cautious here,” Ricco said, per Newsday‘s Marc Carig.

Ricco told reporters Collins felt ill roughly 30 minutes before the start of the contest and was taken to the hospital to undergo tests, per Carig.

Carig added that bench coach Dick Scott would manage Sunday’s game in Collins’ absence.

In December, the Mets named Scott their new bench coach after Bob Geren bolted for the Los Angeles Dodgers. According to the New York Daily News‘ Kristie Ackert, Scott previously served as the Mets’ director of player development and field coordinator.

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New York Mets second baseman Neil Walker is off to a strong start this year, but a back injury will momentarily derail that momentum.

Walker Exits Saturday’s Game

Saturday, June 11

After two plate appearances against the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday, Walker left the game with tightness in his lower back, according to Marc Carig of Newsday.

Manager Terry Collins was worried about Walker after the game, according to ESPN New York’s Adam Rubin, who added he won’t play Sunday. 

Walker went 0-for-2 before leaving in the fourth inning.

Kelly Johnson replaced him in the lineup, per the Mets.

After losing Daniel Murphy in free agency, the Mets have banked on Walker producing at second base. So far, he’s done more than expected with 13 home runs on the year while batting .271. Those 13 homers are good for second on the team, and he’s third in RBI.

New York came into Saturday two-and-a-half games behind the Washington Nationals for first place in the National League East. The Mets have played well in part thanks to Walker’s production.

If Walker heads to the disabled list, that could open up some big league playing time for 22-year-old Dilson Herrera. The Colombia native is batting .299 and has hit 10 home runs for Triple-A Las Vegas.

Walker needs to be healthy if the Mets want to compete this year. He’s given them extra power they didn’t have last year, and his production will be key for the Mets going forward.

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New York Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes hasn’t played since Friday due to a sore right hip. He is considered day-to-day, according to MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo, but an exact return date has yet to be announced. 

Continue for updates. 

Cespedes Out vs. Marlins

Sunday, June 5

The Mets announced that Cespedes would not play against the Miami Marlins on Sunday after missing Saturday’s game. 

Cespedes Vital to Mets’ Long-Term Success

Cespedes also had right leg discomfort in late April after sliding hard into second base against the Atlanta Braves, and he was forced to miss four games as he recovered from the nasty bruise. 

But when he’s been healthy, Cespedes has remained the most dangerous hitter in the heart of the Mets’ order. Through 49 appearances, the 30-year-old is batting .278 with 15 home runs and 37 RBI. 

The power hitter has been a bit wild with the bat at times, totaling 46 strikeouts this season, but manager Terry Collins made it clear during an April series with the Philadelphia Phillies that the boom-or-bust nature of his plate appearances is generally the cost of doing business. 

“Right now, he’s just getting a little too aggressive at certain times,” Collins said, per Newsday‘s Marc Carig. “But we’re seeing the damage when he’s making contact.”

With Cespedes out, the Mets will rely on Alejandro De Aza in center field to help mitigate the loss of the team’s most impactful hitter.  

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New York Mets pitcher Matt Harvey appeared to break out of his slump Monday, as he threw a gem to defeat the Chicago White Sox 1-0.  

Harvey, who entered the afternoon at 3-7 in 10 starts with a dreadful 6.08 ERA, tossed seven innings of shutout ball while allowing just two hits. The victory pushed the Mets to 29-21, which is a half-game back of the National League East-leading Washington Nationals.

New York’s Twitter account highlighted Harvey’s strikeouts: 

CBS Sports’ Jonah Keri praised the beleaguered veteran:

The New York Post‘s Mike Puma noted that this was the first time Harvey made it past the sixth inning this season:

He also showed flashes of his old velocity, per ESPN’s Adam Rubin:

The game was scoreless until Neil Walker blasted a solo home run to left center field in the bottom of the seventh inning.

The White Sox have now lost seven straight.

Coming into the game, Harvey’s struggles were the major focus. After the 27-year-old’s rough outing against the Nationals on May 24, Newsday‘s David Lennon suggested the team should give him some time off to rediscover his game.

“Since the Mets still are trying to come up with a concrete plan for how to fix Matt Harvey, maybe a good start Wednesday would have been to hand him a notebook and pen,” Lennon wrote. “That way, as Steven Matz took apart the Nationals with surgical precision, Harvey might learn something from his seat in the dugout.“

However, Mets manager Terry Collins has stood by Harvey throughout this season and trusted his All-Star starter to break out sooner rather than later, per NJ.com’s Joe Giglio:

I believe as we continue, Matt’s going to get better. I think he’s going to bounce back,” Collins said. “A year ago, we were concerned that his velocity wasn’t there, his slider wasn’t there. Then by mid-summer he was back. I expect the same thing to happen again this year. I think in a few weeks we’ll look up and Matt Harvey will be back.

If Monday was any indication, Collins may be right. Harvey had full command once more and looked like a legitimate star.

New York already has aces in Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard, so pitching depth isn’t a concern. Despite Harvey’s slump, the club is still third in the MLB in team ERA. If Harvey can get going, the Mets will challenge the Chicago Cubs‘ claim to having the strongest pitching staff in baseball.

Postgame Reaction

Collins reaffirmed his belief in Harvey following his team’s win, courtesy of New York’s Twitter account:

He went on to say that Harvey’s performance is promising for the Mets moving forward, according to ESPN.com’s Danny Knobler.

I think today is a first big step, Collins said. He feels good about the way it went. He feels good about the way he threw the ball. Now we’ve just got to build on it, and stay as positive as we can and have him repeat it. No matter what the results are, if he repeats this kind of performance with stuff, I think we’re on the right track.

Harvey appeared satisfied that the work he put in to reverse his struggles yielded positive results, per the Mets:

SportsCenter noted that it has been a while since Harvey carried his team to such a close win.

His teammates hope that Harvey’s performance will instill some confidence back into the ace, per Newsday‘s Anthony Rieber.

“It helps when you go out there and throw seven scoreless,” David Wright said, per Rieber. “You get a little of that cockiness back. That’s what we’ve been accustomed to seeing and kind of spoiled us the last few years.”

When he has his best stuff, Harvey is nearly impossible to beat. Other top pitchers, such as the Boston Red Sox’s David Price, were able to turn their seasons around after slow starts, and Harvey has the ability to do the same. 

All statistics are courtesy of ESPN.com. 

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New York Mets third baseman David Wright is suffering from a herniated disk in his neck, which could force him onto the disabled list. He hasn’t played since May 27, and it is uncertain when he will be ready to return to the lineup.  

Continue for updates. 

Wright Out vs. White Sox

Wednesday, June 1

The Mets announced that Wright will not play against the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday.

Wright Undergoes Injection

Tuesday, May 31

Adam Rubin of ESPN reported that Wright received an injection, but he noted that it takes 48 hours to take effect, “so it looks like Wright is active but unavailable for this series.”

Wright Comments on Injury

Monday, May 30

Wright told reporters he’s been diagnosed with a herniated disk in his neck, adding that he’s “not sure” if it’s related to his spinal stenosis. The third baseman also said he will see a doctor on Tuesday.

Collins Comments on Wright’s Status

Monday, May 30

“Yes, I’m concerned about [Wright] possibly [going on the disabled list],” manager Terry Collins said Monday morning, per Danny Knobler for ESPN.com. “The condition he’s been playing in and the condition he’s in right now, yeah, I’m concerned about it. I know this guy plays with a lot of discomfort. He always has. When he can’t play, he’s hurt. So yeah, I’m concerned about it.”

Mets GM Comments on Wright’s Status

Sunday, May 29

“We’ll just have to see what happens over the next 24 hours,” Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said Saturday, per Rubin. “It’s bothering him. I don’t want to get into it at this point, until we have more concrete information.” 

Wright Struggling to Shake Injury Bug

Wright’s back flared up on him on May 17, but the seemingly minor injury was a cause for concern after he was diagnosed last summer with spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal column. 

Through 37 appearances this season, the veteran hot corner patrolman is batting .226 with seven home runs, 14 RBI and a .350 on-base percentage. 

The 33-year-old is a far cry from the player who nabbed seven All-Star appearances between 2006 and 2013, but he’s still the heart and soul of the defending National League champions. 

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The lingering effects from Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Chase Utley’s slide into former New York Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada are still being felt in 2016.

Mets starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard was ejected from Saturday’s game in the top of the third inning after throwing a pitch behind Utley. After home plate umpire Adam Hamari tossed Syndergaard, Mets manager Terry Collins got involved, with MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo setting the scene at Citi Field:

MLB.com relayed video of Syndergaard‘s pitch that led to his ejection:

Utley exacted his revenge in a big way, though. After the second baseman belted a solo home run to open the scoring, he launched a grand slam into right field to give the Dodgers a comfortable 6-0 lead in the top of the seventh inning. 

Utley became the scourge of New York in the National League Division Series for this play in Game 2 against the Mets:

After the game, Syndergaard said he didn’t intend to hit Utley, per Marc Carig of Newsday:

On Sunday, Syndergaard joked about his ejection, noting he could pitch in Sunday’s series finale:

The umpires stood behind their determination, per Adam Rubin of ESPN:

Collins said he was arguing that no warning was given and “nothing happened, [the ball] went to the backstop,” per John Chandler of NBC New York.

Utley gave his take on the sequence after the game, per Fox Sports:

Tejada suffered a broken leg on the 2015 NLDS play and missed the Mets’ run to the World Series as a result. He was released by the team in the offseason and later signed with the St. Louis Cardinals. 

This situation is similar to the one that led to a bench-clearing brawl between the Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays two weeks ago. Tensions between those teams were high, stemming from Jose Bautista‘s bat flip in the American League Division Series (ALDS) last year.

Bautista was hit by a pitch and proceeded to slide hard into second base. Rangers infielder Rougned Odor took exception to it, which caused a massive fight between the two teams that led to Odor being suspended for seven games and Bautista sitting for one game.

The Mets-Dodgers situation didn’t get that far, possibly because Utley wasn’t hit by the pitch, but it seems there are still some bad feelings from how things played out last season.

While there may be an argument against tossing Syndergaard since he didn’t hit Utley, MLB Network’s Jon Heyman noted the right-hander didn’t dispute what he was doing after getting ejected:

Syndergaard isn’t a wild pitcher. He entered Saturday’s game with just nine walks in 60.1 innings, so he can’t use command and control as an excuse.

The Mets were able to send Utley their message without anyone getting hurt, though they had to play the rest of the game without their best pitcher. They can take some solace in the fact Logan Verrett struck out Utley later in the at-bat.

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Needing help at first base, the New York Mets have added James Loney from the San Diego Padres to bolster their roster.

ESPN.com’s Adam Rubin first reported the acquisition, adding that it was a trade between the Mets and Padres. MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo confirmed Loney was going to New York. MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reported the Padres will receive cash from the Mets in the deal.

Loney reacted on Twitter:

The Mets needed to find someone capable of handling first base for at least the next month. Lucas Duda went on the disabled list earlier this week with a stress fracture in his lower back and is expected to miss four to six weeks, per Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News.

Loney is a solid stopgap first baseman. He doesn’t possess Duda’s power, but he’s always hit for average and has a .338 career on-base percentage.

One of Loney’s biggest strengths throughout his career has been his defense, though he has regressed with the glove over the last two years.

The Tampa Bay Rays this season released Loney just before teams had to finalize their 25-man rosters. The Padres signed him to a minor league deal on April 8, and he hit .342/.373/.424 in 43 games at Triple-A.

At this point in the season, when it’s still too early for most teams to start trading valuable assets from their big league teams, the Mets likely didn’t have many high-quality options to choose from. Loney at least is a capable veteran on whom they can count every day.

Duda’s health will be a major storyline for the Mets as the season moves on, but Loney is the right guy for the team at this time.

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The budding rivalry between the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers reached a new level of weird on Friday due to laser pointers and prearranged markers in the outfield. 

Per Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the Mets contacted Major League Baseball upon “learning that the Dodgers intended to mark prearranged defensive positions in the outfield at Citi Field.” 

Rosenthal added that MLB knows the Dodgers were using a laser rangefinder to mark specific positions in the outfield before the game started and is still collecting information. Los Angeles reportedly hoped to “use markers on the playing surface to define the desired positions for their outfielders,” per Rosenthal.  

The Dodgers reportedly told the Mets grounds crew they would “dig holes in the outfield with their cleats” if the markers were removed, prompting the grounds crew to alert team officials, who told them to “erase or obliterate anything they saw on the playing surface,” according to Rosenthal. He did note the Dodgers “apparently” were not using markers during the series opener, though cameras spotted left fielder Howie Kendrick consulting notes to determine his positioning.

Teams have been employing defensive shifts in the infield for years, though some in MLB have expressed their dissatisfaction with moving players around. New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi told ESPN.com’s Andrew Marchand in April shifts were “an illegal defense, like basketball” and said “if I were commissioner, they would be illegal.” 

Fielders position themselves based on where players are more likely to hit the ball and how they are going to be pitched. If a pitcher is going to attack a hitter with fastballs away, it makes sense to rotate the outfield as if the hitter will not try to pull the ball. 

The Dodgers were trying to save time for their players by using various predetermined positions for them to stand. The Mets, for obvious reasons, did not want them to do this. It’s a game of chicken between two teams, though it is unclear what MLB can do without changing rules about defensive positioning. 

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