Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports that Mets OF/1B, Michael Cuddyer has undergone surgery to repair what the team is calling a “core muscle injury.” It is unknown how long he has been dealing with this injury and to what extent it may have nagged him during a down season.
In his first year with the Mets, Cuddyer underwhelmed in an injury plagued season, batting .259 with 10 home runs and 44 RBI in 408 plate appearances. He finished the year with a .699 OPS, over 250 points lower than the .955 OPS he had in Colorado.
A knee injury not only cost Cuddyer three weeks on the DL in late July and early August, but he lost his starting job in left field to rookie Michael Conforto as well.
The former batting champion served in a platoon and reserve role for the last two months of the season, and struggled in the postseason, going 1-for-12 with seven strikeouts.
Cuddyer is set to earn $12.5 million next season, but it’s not clear what his role will be, especially in light of comments by Terry Collins that Conforto will be the everyday left fielder in 2016.
At the very least, he will spell Lucas Duda at first base against tough left-handed pitching, while providing a right-handed bat off the bench.
How do you think the Mets should handle Cuddyer moving forward? Should he get an opportunity to win back a starting role during Spring Training? Share your comments below.
