Mets set to get Yoenis Cespedes, Asdrubal Cabrera back
Yoenis Cespedes of the New York Mets celebrates his seventh-inning, pinch-hit, game-tying, three-run home run against the Cincinnati Reds with teammate Asdrubal Cabrera at Citi Field on Tuesday, April 26, 2016. Credit: Jim McIsaac
PHOENIX — Yoenis Cespedes and Asdrubal Cabrera remain on track to rejoin the Mets in a few days, giving the lineup a needed infusion, especially with banged-up Neil Walker set to leave the team at any moment to witness the birth of his first child.
In a minor league rehab game on Wednesday, Cespedes went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI. He played six innings in leftfield, another encouraging sign that rest has done him some good.
“I felt comfortable at the plate,” said Cespedes, who went on the disabled list with a strained right quad that had bothered him for weeks. “I’ll be ready for Friday.”
Cabrera went 1-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and scored a run while playing six innings at shortstop. He could be back in the Mets lineup by the weekend.
“I felt good,” Cabrera said. “I’m looking forward to joining the team and helping us win.”
Outfielder Justin Ruggiano may also be ready by the weekend, assistant general manager John Ricco said, giving the Mets a righthanded-hitting centerfielder with Juan Lagares still in the early stages of his recovery from thumb surgery.
Meanwhile, Walker did not play for a second straight day with tightness in his lower back.
Granderson moved down
Terry Collins had a swift change of heart.
Two days after indicating that struggling veteran Curtis Granderson would remain entrenched in the second spot of the order, Collins dropped him down to sixth for Wednesday’s series finale against the Diamondbacks.
“I’m just trying to take a little off Curtis’ plate right now,” Collinns said. “He’s having a tough couple of weeks. Just trying to ease his mind a little bit. We’ve got him playing out of position. We’re asking him a lot.”
While playing some centerfield in the absence of Cespedes, Granderson is hitting just .165 since July 19, including an 0-for-5 performance on Tuesday night.
