As the New York Mets saw one of their starting outfielders go down after receiving the Michael Conforto news, they are, at least, receiving encouraging reports on other injured stars on the roster.
J.D. Davis is already back in the lineup after missing over a week of action with a jammed left shoulder. He had a good few days of successful, pain-free batting practice and is back to being an option for manager Luis Rojas in games.
Another positive development is that Cuban star Yoenis Cespedes, who is currently recovering from multiple heel injuries and an ankle fracture, has already begun running at full speed to first base.
It is a huge step forward in his recovery, but not the last one. Cespedes’ presence in the opening day roster – which would increase his guaranteed salary from $6 million to $11 million – still depends on the outfielder clearing a few more hurdles.
For example, he needs to make turns on the bases at full speed, which would be the ultimate test in his long way back. After all, he hasn’t played an official game since July 2018, when he had heel surgery. Prior to last season, he suffered his infamous ranch accident with a wild boar that resulted in a fractured ankle and a lost year.
The Mets are slowly, but surely working his way back
For now, Cespedes is slowly, but surely working his way back. He has been hitting regularly, including in a simulated game against Marcus Stroman as recently as Monday.
It’s still in the cards that he makes the opening day roster, especially after the Michael Conforto health-related setback. It is not a given, however, as the New York Mets do have some options in Brandon Nimmo, Jake Marisnick, Davis and Dominic
Smith. They can even have Jeff McNeil playing left field if they wanted to.
Cespedes is a career .274/.328/.498 hitter with a .351 wOBA and a 124 wRC+. He has 163 home runs, 472 runs scored and 524 RBI in 3456 plate appearances.