New York Mets manager Terry Collins has given Curtis Granderson the day off, replacing the struggling OF with Juan Lagares.
Curtis Granderson will not be a part of the New York Mets‘ lineup tonight starting against Atlanta Braves knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, as Juan Lagares will get the nod in center field and batting eighth.Tonight's Mets-Braves game will feature the two lowest OBPs in MLB among qualified players:
-Curtis Granderson, .177
-Dansby Swanson, .202— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) May 2, 2017
On the season, Grandy has hit just .124/.177/.213 with a homer, six RBIs and 23 strikeouts over 96 plate appearances.
Meanwhile, Lagares hasn’t hit much better, batting .167/.259/.208 with a double through 27 plate appearances. But what the former Gold Glove winner does provide is just that, a superior glove and throwing arm at the most important outfield position.
Granderson is currently mired in a 1-for-31 slump, leading to he and a few of his struggling teammates taking early batting practice ahead of tonight’s 7:35 game time in Atlanta.
Curtis Granderson among a large contingent of Mets out taking early batting practice today. He's in a 1-for-31 slump. pic.twitter.com/8qZ3boPgnS
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) May 2, 2017
If Granderson’s significant struggles continue for the foreseeable future, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him maintain a bench role, especially when Yoenis Cespedes makes his eventual disabled list return, while Jay Bruce and Michael Conforto are showing no signs of slowing down any time soon.
