Juan Lagares’ season hasn’t been pronounced over, but time could expire on 2014 before his ailing elbow improves.
The Mets center fielder departed Tuesday’s game after feeling discomfort on a throw and said he’s unsure of what is next. An MRI exam on Wednesday revealed he has a right elbow sprain.
Lagares said there has been discomfort in the elbow for about the last 10 days, but not to the level he experienced on Tuesday.
“Sometimes when I throw hard I feel it,” he said. “[On Tuesday] night I felt it a little more.”
Manager Terry Collins was asked if Lagares will play again this season.
“I can’t answer that,” Collins said before the Mets’ 4-3 loss to the Marlins at Citi Field.
Lagares said he had the same elbow issue playing at Single-A Savannah in 2007.
Kirk Nieuwenhuis started in center field and went 1-for-4. He’s expected to get the majority of the playing time in Lagares’ absence.
Dilson Herrera was absent from the starting lineup for a second straight game, but Collins said it was only to give the rookie a rest. Herrera is expected to start this weekend in Atlanta.
“He might be getting run down just a hair and his swing might be getting a little long,” Collins said. “He hit early [Wednesday] because he’s trying to certainly fix it.”
“This is a fast pace up here and coming out of the minor leagues and where he was, he’s done a nice job and we’re going to just give him a couple of days and get him in there this week.”
Dillon Gee’s fifth-inning single snapped an 0-for-41 skid that dated to Sept. 15 of last season.
Curtis Granderson hit into his first double play since May 14, 2013. Granderson had gone 742 at-bats without hitting into a double play, the longest such streak since Tony Womack went 918 at-bats without one in 1997-98.
SNY reporter Kevin Burkhardt was feted throughout the game as he nears the conclusion of an eight-year run on Mets’ telecasts. Included was a convergence of well-wishers on the Shea Bridge for Burkhardt’s last SNY appearance at Citi Field.
Burkhardt is moving into a full-time role with FOX at the conclusion of the season.
