Updated – Aug 9
Mets general manager Sandy Alderson told reporters that outfielder Yoenis Cespedes took batting practice in Port St. Lucie on Tuesday.
While he remains hopeful that Cespedes will be able to return from the DL as soon as he is eligible after the minimum 15 days, Alderson would not commit to a specific return date.
Original Report – Aug 4
Mets All Star outfielder Yoenis Cespedes is coming under a lot of intense media fire after landing on the disabled list only hours after playing a round of golf before the game despite a persistent quad injury.
Cespedes was placed on the disabled list after aggravating his right quad during his final at-bat in a 9-5 loss to the Yankees.
“It has been frustrating,” Cespedes said after the game. “I’ve lost my timing. I’ve lost games and I haven’t been able to contribute to the ballclub. I think the best option is just rest, about 10 days are so, because if I keep playing like this I’m never going to recover.”
During the post game show on SNY, Gary Apple took issue about a photo that circulated on Twitter that showed a joyous Cespedes showing off his scorecard after playing a round of golf with MLB Network’s Kevin Millar.
Apple, who is usually quite upbeat, was not happy after listening to Cespedes speak to reporters, and then he asked analysts Nelson Figueroa and Bobby Valentine for their thoughts and if they thought Cespedes was out of line.
“When you’re being rested and kept off the field it’s for a reason. The team thinks the time off your feet is a good thing,” Figueroa said.
“Everybody knows he loves to play golf. Everybody knows he’s a scratch golfer. But to be out there and have photos of you golfing on the day of the game and you end up being placed on the disabled list?” …I understand he’s the superstar of your team, but when you are getting time off to rest your legs you shouldn’t be playing golf.”
“Swinging a golf club and swinging a bat – they’re both rotational – it’s a rotational thing. If I had a blister on my finger and I loved bowling I’m not going to go bowling. That’s just not okay. You’re a paid professional in one sport and that sport is baseball for now.”
“He’s in New York, you just can’t do it,” exclaimed Valentine. “You just can’t do that.”
Manager Terry Collins defended his player as always and dismissed the idea Cespedes was risking further injury. “Was he running on the course or was he walking? Was he riding in a cart or was he jogging? I don’t have any problem with it.”
Cespedes is batting .292 with 18 doubles, 22 homers and 59 RBIs this season for the Mets.
