Docs suggest surgery on Mike’s shoulder
CINCINNATI — The Mets do not expect any surprises to come out of Michael Conforto’s “second opinion.” Team doctors on Monday confirmed the initial diagnosis on his shoulder and suggested surgery, which was expected, a team source said Thursday evening.
The surgery usually requires four to six months recovery time, which means that Conforto is not guaranteed to be ready for spring training in February 2018.
Conforto dislocated his shoulder last week swinging the bat. The 24-year old also tore the posterior capsule in his left shoulder.
The Mets had no official update on Conforto’s meeting with doctors this week.
HEADING TO HOUSTON
The Mets are uncertain about what to expect when they arrive in flood-ravaged Houston Thursday night. They will play a doubleheader with the Astros on Saturday, the first games back at Minute Maid Park since Hurricane Harvey wreaked havoc on the town.
But they are ready to try and help out however they can.
“I am not really sure. I’ve been through hurricanes before, but nothing that severe,” Mets ace Jacob deGrom said. “I don’t really know what to expect. I think if there is any positive, maybe people coming to the game and get their minds off of what is going on for a few hours. Other than that, I don’t know what to expect.”
The Mets have yet to finalize how or where they will volunteer as a group on the off day Friday. Terry Collins said that he didn’t want it to be seen as a publicity stunt.
“We don’t want any cameras, we don’t want any stuff for news, we just want to help out. The stuff, the things these guys are going to do or I am going to do is pretty much an individual thing,” Collins said. “(Traveling secretary) Brian Smalls helped out by coordinating some of the stuff in Houston. We’ll see what we can do when we get there.”
FAMILIA FEELING HIS WAY
Red flags went up in the seventh inning Thursday when Jeurys Familia faced off against Reds’ shortstop Jose Peraza. The Mets closer, who just returned from the disabled list Friday after missing three months because of shoulder surgery, was struggling with his velocity. His sinker started off at 83 and 84 miles per hour. He gave up a solo home run to Joey Votto and retired just two of the three batters he faced.
The Mets said his arm is fine, but the shaky outing showed how out of form he is. Familia pitched 1.1 scoreless, solid innings on Tuesday night.
Familia said his arm and shoulder felt fine but admitted to a little rust.
“I need to pitch more, a few more times out there and I will feel better,” Familia said.
NOT EXACTLY DOM-INATING
Dom Smith went 0-for-3 Thursday, sliding into an 0-for his last 7 rut and struggling to get his footing at first base this season. He is 3-for-18 in the seven games on this road trip. The highly-touted prospect is hitting just .174 with 15 strikeouts and three walks in 67 at-bats so far.
“You’ve got to continue to grind it out,” Collins said of Smith’s struggles. “Grind out at-bats, work and analyze things and make adjustments.
“Have a good plan at home plate and carry it out.”