The likelihood of the Mets making a move for a corner outfielder this week appeared to dim today when Jerry Manuel endorsed the red-hot Fernando Tatis as his regular left fielder. Tatis has fashioned a remarkable comeback story this year after being out of baseball for much of this decade. He hit his way into the lineup last week with a terrific homestand that saw Tatis bat .500 (8-for-16) with three doubles and two home runs against the Phillies and Cardinals.

Tatis had been sharing time in the outfield with Endy Chavez, but Manuel said today that they will no longer platoon.

The Mets are still thought to be in the running for Mariners outfielder Raul Ibanez going into Thursday’s non-waivers trade deadline, but Manuel’s announcement today took a lot of the sails out of that talk.