Here’s something to keep an eye on over the next few weeks.
I picked this up on Mets.com from Anthony DiComo and thought it was worth sharing.
As most of you diehards know, in 2013, center fielder Juan Lagares set a Mets rookie record with 15 outfield assists. The following season that number fell to six, largely because opposing baserunners stopped trying to take extra bases against him.
DiComo fears that Lagares’ reputation may now be damaged because of the elbow injury that ended his season last year.
“Twice in his Grapefruit League debut against the Braves on Wednesday, Lagares had prime chances to throw out baserunners — most notably on a shallow sacrifice fly that scored his former teammate, Eric Young Jr. Each time, Lagares refrained, not wanting to risk the health of a right elbow that he hyperextended last September.”
As a result, Mets manager Terry Collins is convinced that teams will grow bolder against Lagares this season, at least until he proves his arm is back to peak shape.
“Early, they’re going to test him. I don’t think there’s any question. Don’t think that those scouts in the stands aren’t watching what’s going on. He understands it. He gets it. Guys were teasing him today. He just nodded his head and said, ‘Wait for the season.'”
I’m not worried about our Golden Boy, come Opening Day he will unleash that cannon and shut the opposition down like always.
March 2
Mike Vorkunov of NJ.com followed up on comments made by Terry Collins on Sunday about the team having concerns with the elbow injury that shutdown Juan Lagares last season.
Collins told reporters that Lagares was going to be monitored this spring and during the season to make sure that his right elbow is without issue.
However the center fielder said Monday that all is right with him. “I feel fine,” he said.
Lagares told Vorkunov that the Mets have not yet approached him or talked about that, though he thinks that will happen at some point later this week.
He has been throwing all offseason and said there is no residual effect of that injury.
Good news for our Golden Boy.
