Mike Puma of the New York Post spoke with Yoenis Cespedes yesterday who told him that he believes he is ready to take batting practice, but will wait until he’s cleared to do so. On Monday, though, he will take a big step forward as he will begin throwing.
Cespedes, 33, is recovering from double-heel surgery and so far he’s been feeling much better, as detailed by Puma a month ago.
“I do feel a lot better. I can’t even say at the moment that I’m even 50 percent, but I used to wake up and struggle walking, but now – even at this stage of the rehab – I can definitely walk without any pain.”
Despite the fact that he believes he will return this season, it’s not a guarantee and sitting out is frustrating for him. That being said, he is going to watch the team consistently to try to make up for it and contribute in some shape or form.
“It’s been frustrating for me because I love baseball and now, I have been out of the game for a few months and I don’t really know what to do with myself. I am pretty bored; I want to start with the team, but I just can’t right now at the moment.”
“I don’t really like watching games, just because it frustrates watching, knowing that I can’t help. But this year I am going to be trying to watch a lot more so I can call the players and I can be rooting for them and supporting them in the best way I can.”
Cespedes is entering the third year of a four-year, $110 million contract he signed with the Mets in the 2016 offseason, with current Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen representing him with CAA at the time of the deal.
The Mets will certainly be hoping to get Cespedes’ back in the lineup at some point this season as everyone has seen how vital his bat can be to the lineup as evidenced by his 2015 and 2016 performances in New York.
