Juan Lagares to have MRI on injured ribs
Juan Lagares of the Mets looks on after flying out to end the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citi Field on Saturday, May 24, 2014. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Mets centerfielder Juan Lagares will travel to New York on Monday for an MRI exam after leaving Sunday's game in the 10th inning with pain in his rib cage.
"When I came here, I felt like normal," Lagares said. "I swung in the cage and didn't feel anything."
That changed late in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Phillies in 11 innings.
After arriving at the park and going through his pregame routine without a problem, Lagares declared himself ready to play. He started in centerfield and was 1-for-5 before feeling pain in his rib cage during his at-bat in the ninth, which ended in a strikeout.
He remained in centerfield until he was double-switched out of the game before the bottom of the 10th.
Lagares had been scratched from the starting lineup just before Saturday's 14-inning Mets win. Though he was used as a pinch hitter, pain in his rib cage prevented him swinging the bat, and manager Terry Collins ordered him to bunt.
If Lagares winds up on the disabled list, the Mets could quickly recall outfielder Matt den Dekker, who was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas before Sunday's game to make room on the roster for lefthander Dana Eveland. Collins said den Dekker remained in town after his demotion, allowing the Mets to make a move if needed.
After his call-up last Monday, den Dekker played sparingly, going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. He appeared in three games as a pinch hitter and defensive replacement.
Eveland, 30, was 4-1 with a 3.91 ERA in 12 games (eight starts) in Triple-A. His addition brings the Mets to 13 pitchers, with recently promoted reliever Buddy Carlyle staying on the roster despite throwing three innings on Saturday.
