Mets hoping for healthy arms
Team primed for playoff run, if health allows
NEWYORK >> Injuries hit the New York Mets where it hurt last season, and they’re becoming a pain again.
With a week to go before opening day, those familiar reports of aches and irritation were cropping up at camp again. Part-time center fielder Juan Lagares strained an oblique and, more unsettling, pitcher Steven Matz was scratched from a scheduled start because of tenderness in his left elbow.
Matz, who underwent Tommy John surgery early in his professional career, had bone spurs re- moved from the elbow last fall. Hard to imagine he’ll be ready by the conclusion of spring training.
Oft- injured captain David Wright was already out indefinitely, sidelined by a shoulder impingement following neck surgery in June. Filling his spot at third base again will be veteran Jose Reyes.
“I think we’re deeper than we’ve ever been,” manager Terry Collins said early in camp. “It always seems like at the end of spring, someone is always dinged up. Now we’ve got replacements for them.”
On a team with October intentions, last year’s hard luck remains a fresh memory.
Three members of the young and talented rotation were unable to make it through the 2016 season, including Matz. Every experienced regular besides outfielder Curtis Granderson spent time on the disabled list, in addition to Lagares and productive sub Wilmer Flores.
All those ailments left the Mets and their makeshift lineup in a bind, snarling the team’s attempt to repeat as National League champions.
Riding ace Noah Syndergaard and a handful of unheralded rookies, New York still managed to reach the playoffs, where it lost 3- 0 at home to Madison Bumgarner and the San Francisco Giants