Flores, Ramos to see docs in NY
MILWAUKEE — The Mets are going down in twos now. Struggling reliever A.J. Ramos traveled back to New York on Sunday to have an MRI and see team doctors after he experienced tightness in his right shoulder Saturday. Wilmer Flores, who left Sunday’s game early, also went back to the city to have his lower-back checked after experiencing soreness.
“I am sure you guys have seen him having a tough time throwing the ball. He feels like he can’t really bend over,” Mets manager Mickey Callaway said. “He’s going back, we’re going to have (another player) on their way to Atlanta.”
Flores left in the fourth inning after committing his second throwing error of the series in the third. Callaway said Flores has been dealing with the issue since last week.
“We gave him a day off three or four days ago because it was bothering him,” Callaway said. “He got some treatment and was doing OK, then it started bothering him again today.”
Mets assistant GM John Ricco said that after Saturday’s game was the first time the front office was alerted to any issue with Ramos. Ramos allowed three runs on three hits and a walk in two-thirds of an inning Saturday after allowing back-toback walks the night before to force in the game-winning run in the bottom of the 10th. Scouts at the two games noticed that Ramos was “yanking” his pitches.
The struggles made Callaway suspicious.
“Yeah, obviously he’s struggling to put the ball where he wanted to, I think that’s the first sign that something is going on with somebody,” Callaway said. “We were wondering if that may be the case.”
The Mets brought up lefty P.J. Conlon for Sunday’s game, optioning Chris Flexen to make room.
Relievers Hansel Robles, Gerson Bautista and catcher Kevin Plawecki will join the team in Atlanta to give them options for a split doubleheader on Monday.
Robles (right knee) and Plawecki (left hand) are both on the disabled list but do not have to be activated and can remain with the team without being on the 25-man roster.
VARGAS FUTURE
Callaway said that Vargas will make his next start out of necessity more than anything else. Ricco, however, said that decision has not been made.
“We’ve been talking a lot about it with (pitching coach) Dave (Eiland) and Jason and Mickey and I have had a lot of discussions,” Ricco said. “We have to consider what’s best for this team as well. So we’re talking about a lot of different options, I don’t think any decisions have been made yet.”
FRAZIER DIVERTED
Because of the bad weather forecasted for the Braves series in Atlanta, Todd Frazier (hamstring) continue his rehab “progression” in Las Vegas, yet is not ready to play games.