Mets rest Brandon Nimmo, Mark Canha as a precaution
The Mets' Brandon Nimmo draws a walk during the first inning of a game against the Diamondbacks on Saturday in Phoenix. Credit: AP
PHOENIX — When Brandon Nimmo was missing from the Mets’ lineup Sunday, just as Mark Canha was Saturday, it was an aftereffect of their recent COVID-induced absence.
Manager Buck Showalter said the club’s medical professionals recommended an additional day of rest for each player within a week and a half of their return from COVID-19.
“If you look at some of the people, the COVID effects down the road, it’s frugal and smart to give them a day [off] during that first 10-day period back, because their body and the things that we know now, you gotta be careful early on,” Showalter said. “There’s some risk involved if you play them too much too quick . . . We talked to them about that and said, ‘You gotta be really frank and honest with us about it.’ ”
Both outfielders tested positive on April 15, the day of the Mets’ home opener. Nimmo returned after four days, Canha after five.
Daily deGrom
Showalter walked back his previous comments that Jacob deGrom (right shoulder stress reaction) received an MRI and CT scan on Friday.
His new version of events includes an MRI on Monday, as previously scheduled, and a CT scan that indeed happened Friday, but the results of which the Mets have not received yet.
“There’s no hurry,” Showalter said of receiving the latest medical information about the Mets’ ace.
Walker update
Taijuan Walker (right shoulder bursitis) will throw a four-inning simulated game Monday in St. Louis, Showalter said. Then he will return Saturday or Friday to face the Phillies at Citi Field.
Reliever swap
The Mets called up righthander Yoan Lopez, sending righthander Adonis Medina to Triple-A Syracuse in his place. They wanted a fresh arm after a long couple of days for the bullpen.
Medina, who struck out the side in his one-inning Mets debut Saturday, will be a starter in the minors, according to Showalter. The Mets want to have the option of using him in either role in the majors.
“He presented himself well,” Showalter said. “He’s on everybody’s radar now.”
Extra bases
The Mets expect bench coach Glenn Sherlock, who has been out for 10 days after testing positive for COVID, back on Monday . . . Sean Reid-Foley was OK after leaving Saturday’s game with leg cramps . . . The Reds claimed utilityman Matt Reynolds off waivers from the Mets . . . Showalter on Robinson Cano (.206/.250/.294): “He’s had some good moments for us. I think he’s only going to get better as the weather warms up, like a lot of guys.” Then he changed the subject to the weather in St. Louis (cold).
Tim Healey is the Mets beat writer for Newsday. Born on Long Island and raised in Connecticut, Tim has previously worked for the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the Boston Globe and MLB.com. He is also the author of “Hometown Hardball,” a book about minor league baseball in the northeast.
