Smith’s pinkie just dislocated
Drew Smith wore a splint on his right pinkie finger, but could exhale in that his injury wasn’t worse Sunday night.
The Mets reliever was diagnosed with a dislocated pinkie — which was popped back into place by a team doctor — after attempting a bare-handed grab on J.T. Realmuto’s chopper through the middle in the seventh inning. X-rays were negative. Smith will be re-evaluated Monday, but said he’s hopeful of avoiding the injured list.
“I honestly thought it was broken on the mound, just the way it looked,” Smith said after the Mets beat the Phillies 5-4 in 10 innings at Citi Field. “I dodged a bullet.”
Smith chided himself for attempting to barehand the ball. He said he was warned last week in Colorado by pitching coach Jeremy Hefner about attempting such plays.
“You know as a pitcher you are not supposed to do that,” Smith said. “But it’s just reaction. … Needless to say, I don’t think I will be doing that again.”
➤ Jeff McNeil pinch-hit in the ninth inning and was retired after receiving a rest from manager Buck Showalter because of unspecified “wear and tear” on his legs.
“He obviously has been a real active guy,” Showalter. “But just trying to be more preventative, trying to get ahead of something that might turn into something if we don’t take some precautions here and there.”
➤ Brandon Nimmo was absent from the starting lineup for a second straight game after receiving a cortisone shot for a sprained right wrist. Mark Canha started in center field for a second straight game. Nimmo was available to pinch-run, according to Showalter, but not to hit.
➤ Tylor Megill indicated he will likely begin throwing live batting practice within the next few days as he rehabs from right biceps inflammation. Once he faces hitters, Megill said he will likely need 1-2 minor league rehab starts before he can rejoin the rotation.
➤ James McCann expects to have his stitches removed this week, following surgery to repair the hamate bone in his left wrist. McCann has been throwing, catching with a glove on his right hand and swinging a bat with his top (right) hand until he can progress in his workouts. McCann, who underwent the surgery on May 17, hopes to return before the normal six-week period.
➤ The Mets acquired utilityman JT Riddle from the Reds for cash and assigned him to Triple-A Syracuse.
➤ In honor of Memorial Day, Mets players visited the USS Bataan, a World War II ship that is docked in New York as part of Fleet Week celebrations. Players received a private tour of the ship and met with service members who live on board.