SUB PRIMED
Lagares gets three hits filling in for sick Nimmo
The original version of the Mets’ lineup Sunday left Juan Lagares on the bench.
Instead, because Brandon Nimmo was up all Saturday night battling flu-like symptoms, Lagares got the start in center field and made the most of it, recording three of the Mets’ seven hits in a 5-1 loss to the Cardinals at Citi Field.
It came a day after Lagares went 2-for-4 with a run scored in his season debut.
The 29-year-old didn’t collect his first multi-hit game last season until June 6 — his 39th game of the year. Now he has two in his first two games of 2018.
“I’m starting to feel a little better,” Lagares said. “It’s always good when you get an opportunity to do your job. I think we’re playing really good right now, so I just want to keep working and try to take advantage of every opportunity.”
With Michael Conforto’s return to the lineup coming as soon as Thursday, playing time for Lagares and Nimmo could be cut back. But both are trying to make their cases until then.
In the Mets’ opening series, the two combined to go 7-for-11, the best production from any single position on the team.
“[Lagares] has looked great at the plate,” manager Mickey Callaway said. “He looks comfortable, he looks confident, he’s covering pitches, he’s not chasing. I’m seeing what we wanted to see out of Juan. Obviously the defense is always going to be there, so that’s very encouraging.
“To have Nim and Juan playing like they are, that’s a good problem to have.”
Lagares spent spring training showing off his swing that he revamped under hitting guru Craig Wallenbrock, changing his launch angle to get the ball in the air more frequently.
The results did not come immediately as he went just 10-for-50 in 15 spring training games.
“In spring, I was working and thinking too much during the game,” Lagares said. “Now I’m just working and trying to let it happen, not think too much.”
Even on days when he again isn’t planning on being in the lineup, it’s a mindset that may continue to help.
“I just come here positive every day, ready to play,” Lagares said. “If I don’t play, I have to be ready because you never know when you’re going to come into the game. I come with my mind ready to play every day, it doesn’t matter if I’m in the lineup or not.”