MIAMI — Travis d’Arnaud can catch almost everything, except a break when it comes to his health.
The Mets catcher was diagnosed with a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow on Wednesday, according to the team, and may need Tommy John surgery. The 29-year-old d’Arnaud was placed on the disabled list and Tomas Nido was recalled from Double-A Binghamton.
“[Tuesday] was the first time we heard anything,” assistant general manager John Ricco said of d’Arnaud’s injury. “You never know with this type of thing, when it started and was it a gradual thing or did it happen all at once?”
D’Arnaud was part of a job share with Kevin Plawecki, who figures to become the full-time catcher. It’s just the latest physical setback for d’Arnaud, who spent time on the DL in each of the past four seasons.
“Right now we have to consider Plawecki as the guy,” manager Mickey Callaway said. “I think he will be back there quite often.”
Plawecki had his own scare, getting hit by a pitch on his left hand in the eighth inning, when he scored the Mets’ first run in a 4-1 win over the Marlins. Plawecki left the game for a pinch hitter when his turn came up again later in the inning, but X-rays were negative.
Last season, d’Arnaud played in a career-best 112 games and hit 16 homers. His stint on the DL came in May, after he sustained a bruised wrist.
In both 2015 and ’16, d’Arnaud missed significant playing time, with a fractured finger, elbow strain and rotator cuff strain. By employing a job share with Plawecki, the Mets were hopeful they could keep d’Arnaud healthy.
“A tough loss for all of us, losing a brother like that,” Plawecki said. “Trav and I being pretty close, I feel bad for him, but at the same time we keep moving and keep working to keep this thing going.”
In the offseason the Mets signed veteran catcher Jose Lobaton, who could be promoted from Triple-A Las Vegas to join the mix. The 33-year-old Lobaton spent the past four seasons with the Nationals. Nido was recalled for Wednesday’s game because of Binghamton’s relative proximity to Florida, compared to Las Vegas. The Mets would also have to add Lobaton to the 40-man roster, which would most likely entail placing d’Arnaud or David Wright on the 60-day disabled list to clear space.
Ricco wouldn’t rule out the possibility of seeking a trade for a catcher.
“We are obviously going to discuss short-term and long-term ramifications of this,” Ricco said. “We have a lot faith in Kevin and we have two guys in Tomas and Jose that we got just for this reason, because they give us some depth there.”
Plawecki was solid for the Mets over the final six weeks of 2017, but has struggled in the early going this season. He entered play batting only .158 in six games.
Callaway was asked about the challenge Plawecki will face playing every day.
“Just making sure he stays fresh, and gets his rest,” Callaway said. “Don’t worry about the offense, especially when you are playing every day. Stay prepared with the pitchers and do the best defensive job behind the plate and that will be the most impactful thing you can do.”
Plawecki said he won’t have a problem taking such an approach.
“I play two separate games in a day,” he said. “I catch nine innings and have nine innings of offense. I take a lot of pride in the work I do behind the plate and know the hitting is going to take care of itself.”
