Brandon Nimmo leaves Mets' game vs. Marlins after awkward slide into second base
Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo looks on before a spring training game against the Nationals on Feb. 26 in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The Mets really didn’t need this.
Two nights after Edwin Diaz likely was lost for the season with a knee injury, Brandon Nimmo left Friday night’s spring training game against the Marlins at Clover Park after injuring his right ankle on an awkward slide into second base.
The Mets called the injury “right ankle soreness” and said Nimmo will get an MRI on Saturday.
“I talked to him in the locker room,” manager Buck Showalter said. “He feels pretty good. They’re going to take a look at the ankle, get an image [Saturday] just to be sure . . . The doctor didn’t think there was a need with the knee, but they’re going to check out the ankle just to be sure . . . So far, so good.”
Nimmo, who was playing in his fourth spring training game after signing an eight-year, $162 million contract to remain with the team, was not available for comment.
Nimmo had his cleat catch in the dirt as he attempted a feet-first slide on a potential double-play ball in the fourth inning and eventually limped off with some help from Showalter on one side and the Mets’ trainer on the other. He was able to put some weight on his leg as he pushed Showalter’s hand away and walked off into the dugout.
Nimmo, who played in a career-high 151 games in 2022, decided to start spring training slowly in a bid to be healthy the entire season. He didn’t play in a spring training game until last Sunday. He also declined to play for Team Italy in the WBC (he played for Italy in 2017) because he felt his first duty was to the Mets.
Adding insult to injury, the play Nimmo was injured on didn’t count. He would have remained at second base as Miami catcher Jacob Stallings was called for interference, thus nullifying the double play and putting batter Danny Mendick at first base.
Tim Locastro replaced Nimmo. The former Yankee would be a candidate to start in centerfield if Nimmo is unable to play in the season opener in Miami on March 30. Mark Canha and Starling Marte also can play center in a pinch.
Carlos Carrasco allowed one run and struck out seven in four innings and Luis Guillorme (two hits) had a three-run double as the Mets beat Miami, 6-1.
Anthony Rieber covers baseball, as well as the NFL, NBA and NHL. He has worked at Newsday since Aug. 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since July 5, 2004.
