Mets make room for hot hitters
ATLANTA – If the they’re willing to spend Mets’ pitching won’t money. improve, maybe the “You have to (think outside lineup can make up the box),” Mets manager for it. Mickey Callaway said. The Mets will try loading “When your back is against up on their offense by the wall, you have to make moving Michael Conforto sure that you do everything to center field and Jeff McNeil you can do to give yourselves to right field. This will the best chance to allow Dominic Smith or win. We’re willing to do J.D. Davis to occupy left that and put everything on field and open up playing the line to get wins.” time for the team’s best hitters. Nimmo has been on the IL since May 21 with what
Brandon Nimmo has the Mets are calling “neck been advised to refrain stiffness.” It’s an injury that from baseball activities for has lingered since midApril, the next 30 days. Even when Nimmo collided though Nimmo has not into the center field played in a wall while Major attempting League to make a game since catch at May 20, this SunTrust particular Park. More update than three about the weeks ago, center fielder’s neck stiffness Nimmo described his injury inspired the Mets to as a bulging cervical upgrade their outfield with disc pushing on a nerve in power bats. his neck.
The Mets may not have The Mets said Nimmo’s the green light from Jeff diagnosis and symptoms Wilpon to acquire a slugger have not changed. The club like the Yankees did with is not considering surgery Edwin Encarnacion. Nonetheless, for Nimmo at this point. In the Mets are certainly the meantime, Nimmo received taking a page out of a second epidural the Yankees book by placing shot in hopes that some a heavy emphasis on rest will help heal the center their bats. If the Mets cannot fielder. fix their bullpen problem, they have to find a creative cNeil said he is way to maximize “absolutely” their offense. open to playing
“I’m all for any way we in right field, can get the hot bats in the though the Mets lineup,” Conforto said. “I have yet to speak to him think it makes sense to get about the change. He Dom in there, to get J.D. in played in right and center there to just kind of bolster field in the minor leagues that lineup. Those guys and said he personally have held their own in the doesn’t think there is much outfield.” of a difference between
The Mets are deviating playing right or left field. from their original plan of McNeil has appeared in keeping Conforto solely in one game in right field for right field. The fact that the the Mets this year. Mets are willing to make “I’m pretty comfortable in-season changes is encouraging. kind of wherever they put Taking risks is me. Center, right, left. I just about the only remaining should be fine,” McNeil plan of action, unless said.
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