NEW YORK (AP) Mets outfielder Michael Conforto was scheduled to be examined by a doctor in New York after tweaking his side while making a catch in a recent spring training game.
The slugger had an MRI in Florida but left camp and was sent to New York on Monday night to meet with the team’s medical director, Dr. David Altchek, for further evaluation, the Mets said.
Conforto was injured late last week. He was out of the lineup again Monday when the Mets and Miami Marlins played to a 1-all tie.
Newsday was first to report that general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said Conforto was headed to New York to see Altchek.
Conforto, who turned 27 on March 1, is slated to be New York’s regular right fielder again this season and a middle-of-the-order bat. The Mets have outfield depth on the roster – Brandon Nimmo, Jake Marisnick and Jeff McNeil could all be options in right if Conforto misses time.
Left fielder J.D. Davis, who can also play third base, recently returned from a jammed shoulder. And left fielder Yoenis Cespedes’ playing status remains uncertain after he missed all of last season and most of 2018 with injuries.
New York opens the regular season at home March 26 against the World Series champion Washington Nationals.
Conforto, an All-Star in 2017, set career highs last season with 33 homers and 92 RBIs while batting .257 with an .856 OPS in 151 games. He played in 153 games in 2018.
Conforto was eligible for arbitration this offseason and agreed to an $8 million salary in January. He can become a free agent after the 2021 season.
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