Juan’s surgery a hit to outfield
The Mets’ outfield configuration took another hit on Friday when Terry Collins revealed that former Gold Glove winner Juan Lagares indeed will undergo surgery on his sprained left thumb.
The projected recovery time for the procedure is six weeks, Collins said, meaning the Mets will continue to get by with Michael Conforto in center field for now, unless Yoenis Cespedes eventually can shift back from left despite his lingering quad issue.
“(Lagares) is going to need to get his thumb repaired so I don’t know when that will happen but they went through all the records and he just is unable to play the way he needs to play. So they need to get it fixed,” Collins said before Friday’s 6-1 loss to Colorado. “Juan came in (Thursday) night when the game was over and just said, ‘I can’t. I can’t keep playing like this. I can’t play with the condition of my thumb.’
“I tip my cap to him because he gave it a legitimate effort, went out there and played like he always plays with great desire and great heart. We’ll just have to fill in.”
Cespedes was back in the lineup after sitting out the previous day, going 0-for-4, with Conforto in center and Curtis Granderson in right against Rockies righty Tyler Chatwood.
Brandon Nimmo was recalled again from Triple-A Las Vegas, and Collins indicated Alejandro De Aza likely will be used as a late-inning defensive replacement for Conforto unless the Mets obtain another outfielder before Monday’s non-waivers trade deadline.
REYES TO DL, TOO?
Jose Reyes (intercostal strain) missed his third straight game, with Wilmer Flores starting again at third base. After the game, Collins admitted for the first time, “We don’t know about Jose, he may have to go on (the disabled list), too.”
Beforehand, Collins had said the Mets “put (Reyes) through some tests today and
STaT OF THE DaY
The Mets went 0-for8 with runners in scoring position and are hitting an MLB-worst .202 for the season with RISP.
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On Saturday, Mike Piazza's No. 31 will become the fifth number retired by the Mets. Name the other four.
UnSUnG HERO
Neil Walker went 2-for-4 and has eight hits in three games since a 4-for-48 slump. Antonio Bastardo coughed up a three-run homer to Carlos Gonzalez in the ninth.
nEXT GaME
Saturday, vs. Colorado, 7:10 p.m. Bartolo Colon (9-5, 3.35) vs. Jorge De La Rosa (6-7, 5.70). TV: SNY. he’s better, significantly better than the other day. But I just think because of that particular injury we’ve got to be careful not to overdo it.’
Nimmo batted .389 in nine games back with Las Vegas after the Mets demoted him on July 18 following a monthlong stint in the majors. “For sure, from a personal perspective I had things to work on, definitely,” Nimmo said. “But I definitely feel like I can play here and contribute.”
JEURYS OUT
After blowing saves in each of the previous two losses, his first two this season, Jeurys Familia told Collins that he’d be available to pitch on Friday. The manager insisted otherwise.
“He’s going to be off completely,” Collins said. “He’s just going to get a break. You can call it whatever you want, physical, mental. He’s off tonight.”