The New York Mets training staff was off on their projection for Michael Conforto’s return—but this time that’s a good thing.
Usually, injury news equates to bad news for New York Mets fans. That is not the case with Michael Conforto. In fact, Conforto may be back in the lineup as early as Thursday.
According to Newsday’s Brian Heyman, Conforto is eyeing a return on Thursday and he’s looking forward to getting back on the field. He would go on to tell Heyman:
May 1st felt a little late to me,” Conforto said, “so I made it a goal of mine to get back as quickly as possible.”
You have to love this attitude from Conforto. The biggest key to the Mets’ success this season is going to be their health. If Conforto, Yoenis Cespedes, Noah Syndergaard, and Jacob deGrom can stay healthy, this team will have a shot to contend.
The only concern is whether or not he is returning too early from the shoulder surgery that has sidelined him so far this season. He could benefit from minor league assignments to help ease him back onto the field, but Conforto doesn’t think that’s necessary. He would tell Heyman:
Would more at-bats on the minor-league side help? Possibly,” Conforto said. “But I think at the end of the day, I’m going to have to get my timing back against the [Max] Scherzers and the [Stephen] Strasburgs and the guys I’m going to be facing this year.
The Mets have depth in the outfield with Cespedes, Jay Bruce, Brandon Nimmo, and Juan Lagares so Mickey Callaway is going to need to juggle the lineup in order to get guys consistent at-bats. That being said, the return of Michael Conforto has to be music to the first-year manager’s ears.