Mets manager Mickey Callaway announced after the team’s 8-5 loss to the Nationals on Thursday that Amed Rosario would return to the lineup on Friday.
The young shortstop will be the designated hitter for 1 or 2 at-bats on Friday and it all goes well will play shortstop on Saturday. Both games are on the road.
It was previously reported that Rosario would miss both games as he battles knee and groin soreness. Rosario has missed the Mets last five games and he is 3 for 12 this spring.
Original Post – March 8, 8:00 a.m.
Amed Rosario and Dominic Smith are not on the New York Mets travel rosters for next three games according to manager Mickey Callaway. The Mets are on the road for the next three games before returning to First Data Field on Sunday against the Houston Astros.
Rosario has sat out the last four Grapefruit League games with what started as a knee injury and has now become a groin injury. The young shortstop underwent MRIs on the knee and groin with both coming back clean.
The 22-year-old Rosario is 3 for 12 this spring and has yet to walk in six games.
Smith has only one at-bat in what has been a spring of headlines for him. He opened eyes coming into camp in fantastic shape as he entered a battle for the first base job with veteran Adrian Gonzalez. But, then Smith was late for a team meeting and subsequently scratched from starting the first game.
Now Smith has been hampered by a strain quad he suffered in the only spring game he played.
Despite the struggles of Gonzalez at the plate this spring the chances for the 22-year-old Smith are dwindling by the day.
Callaway told Abbey Mastracco of NJ.com is beginning to get concerned, ”It can be concerning a little bit. Those guys need at-bats. They need reps in the field. We want Rosario to be the best defender he can possibly be and he’s missing some valuable days.”
