Collins: Elbow is likely to keep d’Arnaud out again

CLEVELAND — Travis d’Arnaud was out of the lineup Sunday because of a bruised and swollen left elbow. The Mets catcher left Saturday’s game after being hit by a pitch, and he may not play Monday either. “I might give him one more day just to make sure,” Terry Collins said Sunday. “He was in here (for treatment) pretty early this morning.

“He says he feels a lot better,” the Mets manager said, “but he was pretty sore last night.”

D’Arnaud said he feels “much better,” Sunday morning, but still had a wrap on the elbow. The catcher has a history of fluky injuries. He missed 46 games last season after suffering a broken bone in his hand when he was hit by a pitch. When he returned, 10 games later d’Arnaud was back on the disabled list, missing 32 more with a hyperextended elbow.

The Mets were not planning on bringing in any insurance at catcher as of Sunday. The are comfortable with backup catcher Kevin Plawecki and said d’Arnaud could catch in an emergency situation if an injury occurred in game. Neil Walker and Eric Campbell could catch in an emergency.

The Mets have veteran backup Rene Rivera in Triple-A.

CESPEDES WILL RETURN TO FIELD

Yoenis Cespedes, who was the designated hitter in all three games of this interleague series, will be back in the outfield Monday when the Mets take on the Phillies in Citizens Bank Park.

“He actually could have played today, but I really wanted to give him one more day as a precaution make sure 100% when we get to Philadelphia,” Collins said. “He’ll be able to play tomorrow.”

Cespedes suffered two bruises on his thighs after an ill-advised dive into the stands after a foul ball Wednesday at Citi Field. The slugger hurdled the first row and hit the back of the seats with his legs.

Cespedes had an RBI-double in the second inning. He has 53 RBI in 68 regular-season games with the Mets. He went 5-for-12 with two doubles, two homers and six RBI in the series against Cleveland.

CABRERA’S VETERAN MOVE

With Curtis Granderson on third base Sunday, Asdrubal Cabrera saw the Indians’ infield back up and took advantage of it by laying down a bunt to plate the run. It is just one of the veteran moves that the Mets have liked from their new shortstop.

“He comes ready to play, he shows up and does his job,” Collins said. “He has tremendous pair of hands.

“And he made a real, real smart play right there,” Collins continued. “He got us a run when we needed it.”