While Michael Conforto has made great progress so far this offseason recovering from a torn posterior capsule in his left shoulder he suffered in August, he likely won’t be ready for Opening Day.
Speaking to Gary Apple of SNY Wednesday at Citi Field, Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said he eyes a May 1 return for the 24-year-old.
“Would it be the worst thing in the world to miss the first few games or first week or so? Yeah, I don’t think it would be the worst thing in the world but I definitely want to be out there,” Conforto said last month. “We’ll see what happens.”
Conforto appeared in 109 games for the Mets in 2017, hitting 27 homers and driving in 68 runs while hitting to a .279/.384/.555 clip in 440 plate appearances. Overall on the season he was a 3.6 bWAR and 4.4 fWAR player with a very robust 145 OPS+.
Showcasing his versatility, Conforto wasn’t a liability in the field either as he was good for a 2.9 UZR/150 and -2 defensive runs saved in 818 2/3 innings split between all three outfield positions.
This news doesn’t come as a surprise, as the injury he sustained was one that seldom happens to baseball players and requires a long rehabilitation progress. It’s of utmost importance he comes back 100 percent and isn’t rushed.
With Jay Bruce resigned, the team will likely open the season with Juan Lagares and Brandon Nimmo sharing time in center field, barring a trade of one of them.
