Updated Post, 3/23/2023, 4:31 p.m.
Continuing on the “Nimmo is trending well for Opening Day” trend, the center fielder played in a minor league game on Thursday at Port St. Lucie. He tripled and knocked in two runs.
Original Post, 3/22/2023, 10:07 a.m.
When Brandon Nimmo suffered a low-grade sprain on his right ankle and knee in a spring training game last week, Billy Eppler described the injury as “week-to-week“, seemingly putting the Mets’ starting center fielder’s status in serious jeopardy for Opening Day.
However, there appears to be some optimism that the Mets will have their leadoff man in the lineup on March 30 after all. According to MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo, Nimmo “continues to tread well” for Opening Day after having a full day of running, hitting, and fielding on Tuesday. DiComo also reported that Nimmo is hopeful to play in the Mets’ final spring training games over the weekend.
Needless to say, Nimmo’s presence at the top of the Mets’ lineup is critical to the team’s success. The center fielder signed an eight-year, $162 million deal to remain in Queens this offseason after producing a 5.1-WAR season in 2022 and finishing fifth in the NL in OBP. The Mets have already been ravaged by injuries this spring, most notably to Edwin Díaz and José Quintana, so Nimmo avoiding any serious damage is a significant relief.
If Nimmo is forced to miss games to start the year, the Mets would likely start either Mark Canha or Starling Marte in center, and slot in Tommy Pham in one of the corners. Nimmo missing the start of the season could also open up the door for the likes of Tim Locastro to possibly make the roster.
While it’s too soon to say for certain that Nimmo will be available, it appears to be trending in the right direction. If he’s able to return to action over the weekend and not have any setbacks, the Mets should be able to pencil Nimmo into the Opening Day roster.
