GLASS CALF FULL
Stroman keeps throwing during recovery from tear
Marcus Stroman will continue throwing during his rehab to stay loose, but he wasn’t about to predict Friday when he might return to the Mets’ rotation.
The right-hander was diagnosed in recent days with a left calf tear that forced him to the injured list to begin the season. Stroman called it “shocking” to receive MRI exam results indicating a tear to the muscle.
“It’s extremely unfortunate,” Stroman said before the Mets faced the Braves at Citi Field. “But I don’t dwell on the past. I don’t sit in moment, and I don’t want anybody to grieve for me. I truly just look forward and do everything I can to get back on the field and get my body back where it needs to be.”
By continuing to throw bullpen sessions, Stroman hopes to shorten the rehab period. Even so, Stroman says he probably won’t begin pitching in simulated games until the calf is healed.
Stroman was hit on the leg by a comebacker during an intrasquad scrimmage about 1 ¹/2 weeks ago but said he didn’t think much of it. In his next start he said he felt something in the calf while running to cover first base, but continued to pitch. It wasn’t until after he threw a 55-pitch bullpen session three days later, with the discomfort persisting, that Stroman received the MRI.
Running to field his position is the bigger concern for Stroman than his pitching delivery.
“This is something that needs to feel 100 percent before I can go back full speed,” Stroman said. “It’s kind of out of my realm a little bit. It’s not necessarily when I feel good I can be back, the MRI has to reveal I have no tear. It’s nothing I am truly concerned about but it’s more timing than anything.”
Manager Luis Rojas has not named a rotation replacement for Stroman as of yet. Corey Oswalt would appear to be the primary option, but the right-hander is also available in the bullpen this weekend, according to general manager Brodie Van Wagenen.
➤ Andres Gimenez made his major league debut as a defensive replacement for Robinson Cano in the eighth inning of the Mets’ 1-0 season-opening win over the Braves. The Mets kept Gimenez on the 30-man roster breaking camp largely because of his glove and speed on the bases. Jake Marisnick also entered in the eighth inning for his Mets debut. Marisnick played center field, shifting Brandon Nimmo to left.
➤ The victory was the Mets’ first in an opener in which the only run scored on a homer. The shutout was the Mets’ 10th in an opener and second straight. The Mets are now 39-20 all-time on opening days.
➤ The Braves did not receive any positive tests Friday morning, as the Nationals did Thursday with Juan Soto, but they opened the season at Citi Field without their top two catchers, who were left behind in Atlanta after experiencing symptoms of the virus.
Neither ex-Met Travis d’Arnaud nor Tyler Flowers have tested positive for COVID-19, but neither woke up Friday feeling symptom-free. So the Braves were forced to call up Alex Jackson, who drew the start behind the plate, and prospect William Conteras in time for a 1-0 loss to the Mets at Citi Field.