HERE WE WOE AGAIN
Don’t look now, but Smith hurting as injuries start to stack up
PORT ST. LUCIE — If there really is a competition for the Mets’ first-base job, it could be on hold — or finished completely — with Dominic Smith’s right quadriceps now barking.
Smith felt tightness in the leg as he was running the bases Saturday and will undergo an MRI exam to determine the extent of the injury. That test is scheduled for Monday, continuing an eventful series of days for Smith, who was scratched from Friday’s Grapefruit League opener after reporting late to the ballpark.
In addition to Smith, the Mets are monitoring Juan Lagares (hamstring), Jay Bruce (plantar fasciitis) and Tim Tebow (sprained ankle), giving the early days of spring training a similar feel to the team’s disappointing 2017 season, when injuries were a dominant theme.
The 22-year-old Smith admitted the last few days have been trying as he attempts to convince team brass he is worthy of a spot on the major league roster. But Adrian Gonzalez’s addition this offseason on a free-agent contract likely ensured Smith will begin the season at Triple-A Las Vegas, regardless of his performance this spring. Even so, Smith can’t win a job if he isn’t playing.
“I would be lying if I said it wasn’t [difficult],” Smith said. “I am human at the end of the day. I do have emotions and feelings, so this definitely is frustrating, especially after the game [Saturday] I did play.”
Smith walked and singled in his two plate appearances against the Cardinals on Saturday. In the third inning, he was running hard from first base, attempting to score on a Jose Reyes shot that was ruled a ground-rule double and felt tightness in his quadriceps. Upon returning to the dugout, after scoring on a Kevin Plawecki single, Smith informed the trainer of his discomfort and was removed from the game. Smith said it’s the first time in his baseball life he’s been sidelined from playing because of an injury.
The early ailments come after an offseason in which the Mets revamped their medical staff, firing longtime trainer Ray Ramirez, and adding a director of performance and sports science.
“[The injuries] would bother me if we haven’t taken precautionary measures to try and prevent some of these things,” manager Mickey Callaway said. “Injuries are going to happen no matter what you do, but as long as we are doing the right thing and try to prevent them it’s not going to bother you as much.”
Lagares has been participating in baseball drills in recent days, but the Mets do not want to risk exacerbating the tightness in his hamstring by putting him in the lineup. Callaway indicated he does not expect the outfielder to miss an extended period of time.
Bruce was a model of durability in his first stint with the Mets, but said the plantar fasciitis in his left foot is a remnant from his tenure with the Indians last season, when he changed cleats. Bruce has been taking batting practice and ran the bases Sunday and plans to play as the designated hitter Tuesday.
“It’s annoying because it does hurt and you’re on your feet all the time,” Bruce said.
Bruce and Lagares are components of an already thin Mets outfield that is not expected to include Michael Conforto for at least the first month of the season. Conforto, who underwent left shoulder surgery in September, has been hitting from a tee and says he will likely progress to soft toss in the batting cage this week. Team brass told Conforto to rest over the weekend, hoping to pace his recovery so he won’t try too much activity too soon. Conforto has agreed with that tactic, but admitted it’s been difficult because his shoulder has felt strong.
Callaway said there has been a commitment by the players toward health, even as the injury list is growing.
“I think guys have done a good job with routines leading up to [games],” Callaway said. “We have established routines and they have been prepping the right way.”