ATLANTA — Jeff McNeil, Brandon Nimmo and Luis Torrens are all still battling nagging injuries as the Mets begin a three-game series against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Truist Park.
However, the Mets did get some good news Friday when imaging on McNeil’s shoulder came back clean. The infielder/outfielder has been battling a sore right shoulder for about a week now, leading the Mets to rest him after playing back-to-back games. While he remained out of the lineup Friday, he’s available off the bench as a pinch-hitter. The shoulder only bothers him when he’s throwing in the field, with McNeil saying he’s felt no pain swinging a bat.
“We took an MRI this morning and it didn’t show anything,” manager Carlos Mendoza said Friday afternoon. “He’s just got to play through it. It’s just kind of like in a weird spot there. So again, we’re giving him some extra time for the medicine to start working. But this is something that it’s going to be day-to-day.”
Still, leaving McNeil on the bench makes it difficult for manager Carlos Mendoza to maneuver the lineup and defensive alignments in late-game situations. McNeil primarily plays second base, but also plays all three outfield positions.
He’ll only play second base for the time being, with frequent off days following strenuous games.
“He’s available, we’re just limiting his exposure on the field as much as possible now,” Mendoza said.
McNeil has been the Mets’ most consistent hitter this season, and throughout a dismal summer, that hasn’t changed. He’s hit .369 with a .765 OPS in the second half, a continuation of his first-half numbers (.253 average, .805 OPS). He would be an option to replace Nimmo in left field if it weren’t for the injury.
Tyrone Taylor started in left for the second straight day.
Nimmo is doing baseball activities after sitting out Wednesday and Thursday with neck stiffness.
“Better today,” Mendoza said. “He came in and he’s got treatment, and he’s going to move around. Yesterday, he didn’t do anything, but today, the fact that he came in and he’s like, ‘I’m going to move around,’ that’s a good sign.”
Torrens is dealing with a bruised hand after getting hit with a swing Wednesday in Washington. His hand is sore and wrapped, but the Mets don’t think it’s anything serious, and don’t plan on doing any imaging. All three look like they could avoid the injured list.
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