WASHINGTON — The Mets could add another left-handed bat to their stable of depth Tuesday.
Manager Mickey Callaway indicated after the Mets’ 7-3 victory over the Nationals that he would speak with Robinson Cano about a plan for the veteran second baseman. Cano was 0-for-3 with an RBI as the designated hitter in his second rehab game for Single-A Brooklyn on Monday. He had previously stated he was looking to rejoin the Mets for Tuesday’s game at Nationals Park.
Cano has been on the injured list since Aug. 5, after tearing his left hamstring. It’s unclear whether he would be considered for starting duty upon returning or if he might be used as a bat off the bench with expanded rosters. Joe Panik has seen most of the action at second base with Cano sidelined. Panik went 1-for-5 with a two-run double on Monday.
Callaway indicated Wilson Ramos’ hitting streak is a factor in determining how the veteran catcher is used when he doesn’t start. Ramos was on the bench for Monday’s game, and once the Mets built a big lead Callaway didn’t want to risk deploying him as a pinch hitter, potentially putting his 25-game hitting streak at risk.
“I had [Jacob] deGrom, when we were up 7-0 tell [Ramos] to get ready, we were messing with him,” Callaway said, adding that he’s spoken with Ramos about the streak.
“When he’s not playing we’ll use him to win a game or get back into a game and he understands that, but we’ve got to be smart. We also like that he has his hitting streak.”
Brandon Nimmo nearly lapped J.D. Davis on the bases in the second inning. Panik stroked a double to right field, and Davis was late breaking from second base. Suddenly, Nimmo was right behind him. Davis scored on the play, but Nimmo was held at third base by coach Gary DiSarcina.
“I had a little brain fart,” Davis said. “I was a little tired today, I didn’t know [Panik] had that much juice in him so once I saw it was in the gap, I just turned and saw Nimmo in the corner of my eye hauling his butt around.”
Edwin Diaz was needed to record the final out in the ninth after Tyler Bashlor surrendered a three-run homer to Asdrubal Cabrera . Diaz struck out Matt Adams, giving the right-hander six strikeouts in his last 2 ¹/₃ innings pitched.
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