Ces: I’m ready but not sure I can help
Looks like it might be Yoenis Cespedes to the rescue soon. But even the Mets’ oft-injured slugger thinks he might not be able to help his mates in Queens.
And while that might be true, it’s really not what angry and depressed Mets fans want to hear right now after opening the Subway Series with a 4-1 loss to the Yankees at Citi Field.
“I’m working very hard to get back and help the team get on the winning track,” Cespedes said through a translator, according to the Asbury Park Press, after a rehab game Friday.
“For the way the team is playing right now, even if I’m doing very well, if the team remains playing this way, I don’t think it’s going to help, but I’m eager to get back.” Ouch! Cespedes was playing in his first rehab game Friday night for Double-A Binghamton, alongside Tim Tebow, and batted second and starting as the designated hitter. He went 0-for2 with a fly out and a groundout before being replaced in the sixth inning. Cespedes has been on the disabled list since May 16 — retroactive to May 14 — with a right hip flexor strain.
Mickey Callaway said the plan is for Cespedes to play in the outfield on Saturday in Double-A. The Mets manager believes Cespedes was physically capable of starting in the field Friday night, but, for obvious reasons, the team is taking precautionary measures.
“He’s in a good spot,” Callaway said. “He could probably go do it today. The process that we’re using is, we had him run the bases this afternoon at 1:30. He looked really good doing that. So we thought a good kind of transition would be for him to go DH tonight, get some swings in and be able to run the bases when he’s hitting and then progress him to playing the field tomorrow.”
If all goes well on Saturday, Cespedes could be at Citi Field for the Subway Series finale on Sunday.
YANKEE INJURIES
Masahiro Tanaka was not the only injury scare the Yankees had.
Aaron Judge jammed his left thumb sliding into second base in the first inning while closer Aroldis Chapman was examined by trainer Steve Donohue in the ninth for tendinitis in his left knee he has been dealing with recently.
Aaron Boone downplayed the injuries and said everything checked out, but Chapman, who had his knee wrapped in ice afterward, said it was probably the worst the pain has felt since he began experiencing it.
“I want to say maybe yes, but at the end of the day, it didn’t get in the way of me doing my job,” he said. “And I was able to pitch fine.”
Judge, meanwhile, said he will probably get his thumb examined by team trainers before Saturday’s game but does not expect it to be a problem.
“Not too concerned,” he said. “Just felt a little something but I’m good to go ... Feels good, a little sore, but nothing too bad. We’ll see in the morning.”
WRIGHT ‘UPDATE’
David Wright fielded grounders and threw in the outfield Friday afternoon at Citi Field. Camera crews captured the brief workout, and Wright looked rather uncomfortable throwing. Wright, who’s dealt with a slew of injuries related to spinal stenosis, hasn’t played in a major-league game since May 27, 2016.
WIL’ THERE’S A WAY
Callaway said he expects Wilmer Flores to make a “pretty quick return.” The utility infielder has been on the DL since May 28 with a sore lower back.
JAZZED UP!
Utah Jazz star and probable NBA Rookie of the Year Donovan Mitchell attended Friday night’s game in Flushing. His father, Donovan Mitchell Sr., is the Director of Player Relations and Community Engagement for the Mets. During batting practice, Mitchell stood with his father and chatted with Yankees slugger Aaron Judge. Mitchell wore a No. 45 white Mets jersey.