Terry Collins told reporters this weekend that Daniel Murphy, who was dealing with a calf strain, is feeling good and is expected to be activated from the disabled list on Tuesday.
That leaves one to wonder how this will impact Dilson Herrera as the Mets wrap up the last three weeks of the season. According to what team sources have told Adam Rubin of ESPN New York, there’s no chance that they’ll give the young infielder any reps at shortstop.
“Although Herrera has appeared in 27 minor league games at shortstop this season, Mets brass only views him as a second baseman, and his audition will be limited to that position, a team insider said.”
Terry Collins spoke to that as well on Saturday.
“The whole thing was to give Flores this opportunity,” Collins said. “Again, you’re muddying the waters by throwing somebody else out there. I’m not here to run a tryout camp. I’m trying to win some games.”
The Mets manager has also been pretty adamant that Murphy will return to second if he’s healthy and will resume his everyday job. “As we all know, when Dan Murphy gets back, his name will be in the lineup.”
“Anything can happen,” Collins said. “I know if Murph’s healthy it is going to be pretty hard to knock Murph out of that spot.”
Kristie Ackert of the Daily News says that the Mets have been impressed with how Herrera has stepped in after Murphy got hurt.
But while Terry Collins thinks Herrera could skip Triple-A and make the team in 2015, the Mets manager said that decision has yet to be determined.
“I think certainly there is talk that he is going to play winter ball, I’ve heard that being talked about, so the more games under his belt against good competition, I think that will help him,” Collins said. “A good spring training with (infield coach) Tim (Teufel) and I don’t think there is any reason why he couldn’t make the jump.”
Murphy remains under contract through next season, thus blocking Herrera at second base, but the front office has said that the situation doesn’t necessarily mean that Murphy will be traded.
A team source noted to Rubin that Herrera is only 20 and Murphy was leading the NL in hits when he landed on the DL, which would be difficult to replace.
Sandy Alderson also said last week, that he wasn’t going to make any big decisions based on any one month sample sizes.
This offseason should make for some very compelling Mets drama.
