Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports that Mets outfielder Jay Bruce has been scratched from the lineup as he still feels soreness in his hip. Jose Bautista will start in right field in his stead.
“Bruce says he hates the idea of going on the disabled list, but understands it ultimately may not be up to him,” DiComo said in his tweet. “The Mets will reevaluate him tomorrow. He also admitted that in addition to his hip and recent lower back issue, he continues to be bothered by plantar fasciitis.”
Bruce has been one of the worst players on the Mets this season, so it is not surprising when he says he’s been playing through pain. After getting three days off, he tried to play Sunday, meaning if he were to be put on the disabled list it would be retroactive to today, June 18, as opposed to June 14.
Bruce is 4-for-his-last-30 (.133) and has not hit a home run since May 7 in Cincinnati. Overall, he is slashing .212/.292/.321 with three home runs, 17 RBIs, 71 wRC+ and -0.9 bWAR. He is due to make $11 million this season and $14 million in 2019 and 2020.
Add this to the list of instances when the Mets mishandled an injury. Bruce should have been placed on the disabled list weeks ago, but instead he has been dragging the team down trying to play through his injuries. Now, because he played Sunday, they can’t put him on the disabled list retroactively to June 14, meaning it’s at least four more days until he will be eligible to come back.
The Mets must put him on the disabled list now — Better late than never.
