The Mets hope recent history repeats itself.
For the second time in a week, Robinson Cano had to leave a game after being hit with a pitch in the hand. On April 21, he was hit on the right hand, but only missed one game after X-rays were negative.
They were again negative on Sunday after he was hit on the left hand, but the Mets were concerned enough that the veteran second baseman will undergo further tests, including an MRI exam, on Monday because of extra swelling on the back part of the hand.
“X-rays looked fine, but just who it is and where it is, I think we need to make sure we’re doing everything we can and dig deeper,” manager Mickey Callaway said.
Cano left Sunday’s 5-2 victory over the Brewers in the first inning in obvious pain after he was hit by a Gio Gonzalez fastball that was ruled a swinging strike. Cano had been hitting well, with 13 hits in his last 27 at-bats.
Jed Lowrie, the free-agent acquisition who has been out since early in spring training with a sprained capsule in his left knee, began a rehabilitation assignment on Sunday. He went 0-for-4 in nine innings at shortstop and second base for Single-A Port St. Lucie.
It is uncertain how much time the 35-year-old Lowrie will need until he is ready to rejoin the team. The Mets plan to use him at third base, shortstop and second base.
“The signs that we have seen so far have been pretty good,” general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said. “We will see how Jed progresses.”
Seth Lugo pitched the eighth inning of a one-run game Sunday, striking out the side, but Callaway cautioned into reading too much into that. Jeurys Familia and his bloated 6.17 ERA remains his setup man.
“Today was more of a circumstance of Lugo hadn’t pitched in three days, we pitched Familia [Saturday] night, and you got to get these guys pitching,” Callaway said. “It just made sense.”
Amed Rosario has reached base in a career-high 12 straight games. … Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich left the game in the fifth inning with lower back-discomfort. … Five of J.D. Davis’ eight RBIs this year have given the Mets the lead.
