The New York Mets‘ training camp at Citi Field is filled with competition. The latest intrasquad game, held on Thursday, wasn’t without some exciting moments involving some of the team’s brightest stars.
Jacob deGrom was supposed, and rightfully so, to be the highlight of the day until rehabbing slugger Yoenis Cespedes stole the show with a huge two-run home run off star late-inning reliever Seth Lugo.
Yoenis Cespedes takes Seth Lugo deep, followed by a double from Pete Alonso. 👀👀 pic.twitter.com/cbHTCELN6a
— SNY (@SNYtv) July 9, 2020
According to Anthony DiComo, Céspedes turned around without running the bases and walked casually back to the dugout after hitting the moonshot.
Of course, this is all practice reps, but the development is noteworthy because Lugo was among the best bullpen arms not only in the New York Mets, but in the major leagues last season, with a sparkling 2.70 ERA in 80 frames.
Additionally, Cespedes has all eyes on him after failing to play since July 2018 with multiple heel and ankle surgeries. He even made the news after being involved in an accident with a wild boar at his ranch that resulted in the ankle injury and, subsequently, in the Mets lowering his base salary.
After months of an intense and slow rehab process, Cespedes is already batting, running, catching fly balls in the outfield and even taking some grounds at first base. He seems firmly entrenched as the Mets’ first option for the designated hitter spot.
Lowrie making strides for the Mets
Another positive development after Thursday’s intrasquad action was Jed Lowrie showing some signs of life after being limited all spring with a left knee injury.
He had been wearing a large brace for months, and even though he is transitioning to a lighter one, he still isn’t out of the woods yet. Yesterday, he managed to hit a double to the warning track in center field, against deGrom, no less.
His baserunning and overall movement remains limited, but he was able to job to second base and went around to score a few moments later. That was the only run that deGrom conceded in his three innings of work.