Why Mets may be forced to put Michael Conforto on the DL
Michael Conforto may be headed to the DL on Saturday to clear the roster spot for Zack Wheeler’s activation, general manager Sandy Alderson said.
Though Conforto underwent an MRI exam and CT scan Friday that showed no fracture, he continues to be troubled by a bone bruise on his left wrist that makes it difficult to swing.
“Michael said he tried to swing today. It feels a little bit better, but not like he can go in and really compete,” manager Terry Collins said after the Mets topped the Phillies 2-1 at Citi Field.
Conforto exited Sunday’s game in San Francisco in the sixth inning — an inning after getting struck on the left wrist by a pitch from Matt Moore. Multiple X-rays taken this week did not detect a fracture. The 10-day DL trip could be backdated three days, so Conforto would be eligible to return in a week.
Jeurys Familia is headed to Florida shortly to begin a throwing program. Familia underwent surgery on May 12 to address a blood clot near his pitching shoulder.
David Wright’s return to the majors this season is iffy. Wright remains in Los Angeles rehabbing with Dr. Robert Watkins, the surgeon who performed last year’s surgery to repair a ruptured disk. Alderson estimated it would be three to five weeks before Wright could even be cleared for baseball activity. The captain last appeared in a major league game on May 27, 2016.
“I think there’s still a possibility he could return this season,” Alderson said.
After missing two starts in Miami while dealing with an illness, Lucas Duda had been poised to reenter the starting lineup Friday. Nevertheless, Duda was scratched with continued effects of the ailment. T.J. Rivera replaced him at first base and went 1-for-4.
Wilmer Flores, who had been briefly hampered by leg stiffness, did return to the starting lineup. He went 0-for-4.
Neil Walker, who is on the DL with a partial tear of his left hamstring, might be close to rehab games, according to Collins.
Nevertheless, Walker indicated this week he has not yet resumed running, and Alderson said the second baseman still must be fitted with a knee brace.
The GM also said the Mets need to be cautious because the hamstring tear is near where a tendon attaches to the knee.
Alderson offered no indication top prospect Amed Rosario would be promoted from Triple-A Las Vegas anytime soon. Calling it a “double whammy,” Alderson said he would not want to promote Rosario if the Mets were struggling since the 21-year-old shortstop could have the pressure of being viewed as a “potential savior.”
Alderson suggested he also would not want to promote Rosario soon if the Mets were performing well because there would be no need for him.
“If we get another two months into the season, or month and a half into a season, and things haven’t gone as well as we’d hoped, maybe the future is now,” Alderson said. “We’ll just see.”
Alderson said he could not comment about his interest in Bartolo Colon until the veteran righty officially becomes a free agent.
Colon has been designated for assignment by the Braves. Nevertheless, Alderson indicated in a general sense that he would entertain bringing in a veteran reliever for the MLB minimum salary.
Alderson jokingly added about the Braves’ June 9 bobblehead day for Colon: “We had put in a call to buy their surplus inventory of Bartolo bobbleheads, but we’d have to do a quick paint job on those potentially.”
It’s July 1, which means it’s payday for former Met Bobby Bonilla. As part of a contract buyout from his playing days, Bonilla is owed $1,193,248.20 by the Mets annually on this date through 2035.
The Mets owed Bonilla $5.9 million when they originally agreed to the deferred payment structure. The annual payments began in 2011.
Nets first-round pick Jarrett Allen visited the Mets clubhouse before the game.