CINCINNATI — Yoenis Cespedes’ gimpy right leg has become a concern to the Mets.
Though the Mets slugger was deemed healthy enough to play earlier this week after leaving Sunday’s game with quadriceps discomfort, his lack of range in left field was reason enough for manager Mickey Callaway to put Cespedes on the bench Wednesday.
Cespedes grounded out and hobbled to first as a pinch hitter in the Mets’ 2-1 loss to the Reds in 10 innings at Great American Ball Park.
“It’s really tough, because the offense, he can hit a three-run homer and on the flip side of that, we need the defense when we are pitching,” Callaway said. “When he’s 100 percent, his defense has been great. The last couple of days, he probably hasn’t been able to give 100 percent out there when he’s running balls down and that might have hurt us a little bit.”
A disabled-list stint might benefit Cespedes, but with the Mets’ lineup struggling, having scored two runs or fewer in seven of the past nine games, such a move would seem unlikely. Especially with Todd Frazier on the disabled list nursing a strained left hamstring.
Jay Bruce headed home to Texas after the game for the birth of his second child. The veteran outfielder will be placed on paternity leave and miss the Mets’ three games in Philadelphia this weekend. Also, Jerry Blevins is awaiting the birth of his first child, as David Wright awaits his second.
Luis Guillorme was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas to give the Mets infield depth with Frazier on the disabled list. Tomas Nido was optioned, leaving the Mets with two catchers following the acquisition of Devin Mesoraco from the Reds a day earlier. Wilmer Flores is expected to receive the majority of the starts at third base in Frazier’s absence.
Kevin Plawecki’s grip strength in his broken left hand has nearly doubled in recent days, according to Callaway, but there still is no timetable for the catcher’s return from the disabled list. Plawecki has begun playing catch and expects to start swinging a bat soon.
Hansel Robles was sent to New York for an MRI exam on his right knee, a day after he departed the game in discomfort, following an awkward step. X-rays taken on Robles were negative, according to the team.
Amed Rosario finished 1-for-4 with a single and his first stolen base of the season. The Mets shortstop is 8-for-25 (.325) with two doubles and two RBIs over his last eight games.
Brandon Nimmo tripled and walked twice. It marked the fourth time this season in which he reached base three times in a game. Nimmo leads the Mets with a .453 on-base percentage.