Cespedes back on DL as Mets weigh decision on foot surgery
NEW YORK » Yoenis Cespedes is back on the disabled list, and the New York Mets were still deciding whether the oft-injured slugger needs surgery on both feet that would require an eight-to-10-month recovery.
An announcement had been expected before Tuesday night’s game against San Diego, but about 35 minutes prior to the first pitch Mets spokesman Harold Kaufman said the team was waiting to receive a second opinion and it was unlikely the news conference would take place until after the game.
“Still trying to gather information,” manager Mickey Callaway said in the afternoon.
New York put Cespedes on the 10-day DL and called up infielders Jeff McNeil and Phillip Evans from Triple-A Las Vegas. Evans was in the starting lineup at third base, batting eighth.
Utilityman Ty Kelly was designated for assignment, a day after popping out on a ninthinning bunt attempt.
Cespedes had an MRI and was examined by a specialist Monday in an effort to determine whether he needs surgery to alleviate chronic heel pain.
The two-time All-Star returned from the disabled list Friday after missing two months with a strained right hip flexor and homered as the designated hitter in a victory at Yankee Stadium. But in a staggering revelation, the 32-year-old Cespedes disclosed after the game that calcification on both heels has bothered him for 15 years and caused the lower-body injuries that have limited him to 119 games in 1½ seasons since he signed a $110 million, four-year contract.
He hasn’t played since.
The left fielder is batting .262 with nine home runs and 29 RBIs in 38 games this season.
The 26-year-old McNeil has been a pleasant surprise in the minors this year, earning his first major league call-up. He was hitting .342 with 19 homers, 26 doubles, 71 RBIs and a 1.028 OPS in 88 games at Double-A Binghamton and Las Vegas.
McNeil was a 12th-round pick in the 2013 amateur draft out of Long Beach State. He has primarily played second base in recent years but also has experience at third and could even be used in the outfield, Callaway said.
In six minor league seasons, McNeil has hit .311 with 28 home runs and an .823 OPS.
“We’re excited that he might be a possibility for us,” Callaway said. “We feel comfortable with him at multiple positions now. That was kind of the goal the last couple of weeks, to kind of hone in on a couple more positions to give us more options.”