SEATTLE — T.J. Rivera’s season could be in jeopardy, following the diagnosis of a partial tear to the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.
The Mets infielder received a platelet-rich-plasma injection and was placed on the 10-day disabled list Friday, removing one of the team’s hottest hitters from the roster.
Rivera, who has shuffled between second base, third base and first base, was batting .306 with 10 RBIs in 18 games this month. Overall, he was batting .290 with five homers and 27 RBIs.
“If you strengthen the area, hopefully you can avoid any surgical operation,” manager Terry Collins said before the Mets’ 7-5 win over the Mariners. “There are certain procedures that certainly pitchers go through, but until we see where he is in a couple of weeks we won’t know.”
Seth Lugo and Juan Lagares are Mets players in recent years who have, to this point, avoided surgery after being diagnosed with a partially torn UCL.
Neil Walker returned to the Mets from his minor league rehab assignment and was inserted into the starting lineup at second base. Walker indicated he’s open to playing third base and first base, if needed, but has been told he can expect to resume as the everyday second baseman.
Walker singled in the go-ahead run in the eighth.
Wilmer Flores is expected to handle the everyday duties at first base until Dominic Smith is promoted from Triple-A Las Vegas (presumably at some point in August). Collins used Jay Bruce at first base Thursday, hours after Lucas Duda was traded to the Rays, but said he will stick with Flores at the position in the short term.
Brandon Nimmo was activated from the disabled list to give the Mets another bench option. Tyler Pill was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas to clear roster space.
Desmond Lindsay, the Mets’ second-round pick in the 2015 draft, underwent ulnar nerve transportation surgery. The outfielder is expected back for next season’s spring training.