The New York Mets finally put Yoenis Cespedes on the DL, but they’ve handled the star outfielder’s injury situation the wrong way.
Yoenis Cespedes has unquestionably been the New York Mets best hitter, but, obviously, he’s has been playing at less than 100%.
Cespedes first hurt his quad in a July 8 game vs. the Washington Nationals while running to chase a fly ball. Since then, he has been less than 100% while the Mets kept putting him in game after game out of necessity.
Cespedes has not been able to run at full speed which prohibits him from playing center field. Even in left field, it still impacts his running in the outfield and on the base paths.
It hasn’t gotten much better lately, and as a result has been limited to pinch hitting duties.
With the Mets playing a couple Subway Series games at Yankee Stadium, Cespedes was the team’s designated hitter on Wednesday, but on his last swing, he felt pain.
Thus, the Mets finally decided to put him on the DL. The question is, “Why didn’t they do it any sooner?” Why did they have to wait a month when they knew he was never 100% after he first suffered it?
It’s obvious the he’s their best hitter and only consistent threat in the lineup. Without him, the Mets lineup is close to a Triple-A lineup with no middle of the order presence.
However, the Mets definitely need a healthy Cespedes in order to contend, let alone make the playoffs. If they put him on the DL a month ago when he first injured his quad, he could’ve been back by now, ready for the stretch run. He could’ve played center field in the wake of Juan Lagares also heading to the DL.
Now, with both Cespedes and Lagares out, the Mets are forced to put Curtis Granderson and Michael Conforto in center field.
The Mets have also been in some sort of a tailspin, losers of six of their last eight games, making it more difficult without their top slugger. The Mets are currently two games out of the second wild card spot. Therefore, there is little room for error.
The Mets have had a history of keeping their injured players on the field too long before putting them on the DL and this was the latest example and one that could cost them down the stretch.
Mets fans will hope that Cespedes’ injury only keeps him out the minimum of 15 days and he can return in mid August, but time will, of course, tell.
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