Mets: Brandon Nimmo suffers setback, JD Davis return around the corner

Sep 29, 2019; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets center fielder Brandon Nimmo (9) at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Mets have been playing without their leadoff hitter and regular center fielder Brandon Nimmo for a while, as he is nursing a bone bruise in his left index finger. They are doing OK without him, recently winning seven straight games before seeing their streak snapped on Friday, but they need him for the long haul if they want to make some noise come October.

The Mets had been hoping to have Nimmo back for the weekend, starting on Friday, as he took some at-bats with the team’s minor league affiliates.

However, he suffered a setback in his recovery, as he is still bothered by the injury and can’t bat as he normally would.

According to the Mets’ official site, in his last at-bat for Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday, Nimmo felt pain in the finger. That’s what manager Luis Rojas told the media, and now his return has been pushed back until further notice.

Nimmo didn’t play for Syracuse on Friday night, as he is going to get treatment and receive more tests to see if the initial diagnosis got worse or if he could resume his rehab after a rest day or two.

The Mets miss Nimmo but could get Davis back this weekend

Before getting hurt, Nimmo was having a highly productive season for the Mets, hitting .318/.430/.439 with a homer and a couple of stolen bases, plus improved defense out there in center field, which was one of his main weaknesses last year.

Nimmo could resume the rehab assignment on Saturday. “That was one of the reasons why him and us wanted him to take at-bats before joining the team, just so he could test it,” Rojas said. “He did the high velo machine but still wanted to do it live against pitchers.”

The Mets could have JD Davis back this weekend, though, so at least there are some good news on the injury front.

“J.D. did high velo today, felt better. We’re still aiming at tomorrow (Saturday), but still gotta give us the feedback after hitting off the high velo machine,” Rojas said. “So we can be in a good place to probably activate him tomorrow or the next day.”