KANSAS CITY —
Jesse Winker
is back on the injured list, only about 72 hours after he was activated off of it. The
Mets
‘ DH and outfielder was placed on the 10-day IL on Friday with lower back inflammation, with his back locking up on him one day prior. The injury isn’t related to the oblique strain that landed him on the IL in May, according to the training staff, but Winker already has a history of back injuries.
Winker will be given anti-inflammatory medication for the next 4-7 days before being reevaluated. If the anti-inflammatories don’t work, the next step for Winker would be to receive an injection. The Mets have not specified a timeline for a return, needing to see how his back feels after the round of medication.
Winker, 31, a fan favorite DH and outfielder, returned after a lengthy layoff Wednesday in Baltimore. He logged only three at-bats before alerting the trainers about his back after his first and only at-bat in the first game of a doubleheader at Camden Yards on Thursday. The Mets sent him back to New York for imaging, and he did not make the trip to Kansas City for the team’s final series before the All-Star break.
However, the team did receive good news about outfielder
Starting Marte
. Imaging taken in Kansas City showed only minor inflammation in Marte’s right knee, and the Mets still expect him to be activated after the All-Star break.
“Very encouraging,” manager Carlos Mendoza said Friday at Kauffman Stadium. “We’re going to try and limit his running, but as far as moving and all that, we’re going to get that process going now. So again, good news, and hopefully he’s a player for us right after the break.”
The veteran outfielder has been trying to adjust to a new role as a platoon DH this season. It’s been a challenge for him to hit without consistent playing time, but he’s coming off a strong month. In June, Marte slashed .291/.355/.400 with three doubles, a home run, five RBI, a stolen base and six walks. Throughout his four-year contract, Marte has dealt with a broken finger, a double hernia and a knee injury, but with his speed and ability to put the ball in play, the Mets still find value in the 36-year-old Dominican.
Without Marte or Winker, the Mets will give platoon at-bats to right-handed
Mark Vientos
and left-handed Jared Young, who was called up from Triple-A Syracuse on Friday to take Winker’s spot on the roster. However, this isn’t a set platoon. Mendoza said he will continue to spread at-bats around based on matchups. Vientos was in the lineup Friday hitting fifth against right-hander Michael Wacha, who has neutral splits against righties and lefties.
Right-hander Paul Blackburn is also getting closer to a return. He’ll throw an up-and-down bullpen in Kansas City this weekend, his second bullpen since going on the IL with a shoulder impingement, before heading to Port St. Lucie during the All-Star break to face hitters.
Right-hander Justin Hagenman was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse following Thursday’s doubleheader to make room for Kodai Senga on the roster. He threw two innings of relief and took the loss to the Baltimore Orioles. Right-hander Rico Garcia was designated for assignment, and right-hander Austin Warren was returned to Syracuse after being called up as the 27th player for the doubleheader and was recalled for the series against the Royals on Friday.
