New York Mets infielder Wilmer Flores has been cleared to start hitting less than two months after having surgery on the hamate bone in his right hand.
Flores, 25, could play in the Venezuelan Winter League for the Bravos de Margarita by mid-December. Flores is currently in Venezuela training in hopes of getting back on the field soon.
Flores last played in 2016 on September 10th. In that game, Terry Collins failed to lift him for a pinch runner, and Flores would injure his wrist sliding head first into home plate.
The utility infielder hit .267/.319/.469 with 14 doubles, 16 home runs and 49 RBI in 335 plate appearances during the 2016 season. He is expected to stay in the bench role for the Mets in the upcoming season.
