Photo by Ed Delany
New York Mets outfielder Michael Conforto hit in a live game on Friday afternoon for the first time since injury his shoulder in August of last year.
Conforto hit in a minor league game against the Washington Nationals on one of the backfields at the Mets complex in Port St. Lucie.
In his first plate appearance he walked on seven pitches. Second time up he had a pop-up that dropped in shallow left field but in turned into a 7-4 fielder’s choice.
He would walk again in his third plate appearance, this time on nine pitches. In his final PA of the day, Conforto flew out to deep left field.
Conforto is expected to make his return to the field Saturday in a minor league game after only hitting Friday.
Michael Conforto: “I don’t feel anything in there. … At this point, I’m pretty much going through my normal routine in the cage.” pic.twitter.com/kMgwO1oZuX
— Tim Healey (@timbhealey) March 16, 2018
Original Post – March 16, 9:29 a.m.
New York Mets outfielder Michael Conforto will hit in a minor league game today according to Mike Puma of the New York Post. This will be Conforto’s first live game action since having shoulder surgery. He will hit in four innings and lead off each inning for the Mets.
Puma also reported earlier this week that Conforto could play in Grapefruit League games next week. The target return date from GM Sandy Alderson for Conforto’s return to the majors has been May 1.
Conforto underwent surgery in September after tearing the posterior capsule in his shoulder in an August game. When on the field, Conforto was terrific in 2017, hitting .279/.384/.555 with 20 doubles, career-high 27 home runs and 145 OPS+.
Yoenis Cespedes is currently sidelined with a minor wrist ailment but the Opening Day outfield is looking to be Cespedes in left, Brandon Nimmo in center field and Jay Bruce in right.
