What to expect from Mets currently on the IL

Encouraging news was released yesterday from the Mets’ training staff about the healing progress of Jed Lowrie and Brandon Nimmo. First of all, merely knowing that Lowrie, who has been out since February with injuries, is still with the organization is a surprise. The idea that he could be back on the team this season is reason to celebrate, especially when considering the infield depth the team has had to deploy in recent weeks. With this good news and just six weeks of baseball left after this week, it makes sense to take a look at each member of the Injured List and project what to expect from a performance standpoint, as well as to attempt to pinpoint a return date.

Let us begin with the aforementioned Lowrie. At 35 years old and without seeing a live pitch in ages it will be hard to expect the .267/.353/.448 slash line we saw last year where in Oakland he earned his first All-Star nomination. However, what this team needs is depth, and Lowrie could very well be this year’s Kelly Johnson as John wrote about on Tuesday. While the team needs him now, we likely will not see Lowrie in a major league Mets uniform for another month since he has missed so much time. He will need a lengthy rehab assignment, but the minor league season ends in less than three weeks. With the final season of 40-player rosters in September, we may see the Mets stash him on the roster in mid-September. Lowrie’s return is the most difficult to predict, but during the first homestand in September is as good of a guess as any. Prediction: September 13^th.

The other Met to receive good news yesterday was Nimmo, and all signs point a return before Lowrie. Out since May 20^th with a bulging disk in his neck, an injury that stemmed from a collision with the wall at SunTrust Park back on April 14^th, Nimmo has been progressing slowly with an injury that really does not allow for much activity. In hindsight the team should not have allowed him to play through the injury, as his .177/.340/.266 slash line between April 14^th and May 20^th did not suggest he was healthy. Being cautious now with his recovery, Nimmo has been performing baseball activities for almost a month now and is ready for a rehab assignment. We can expect him to play out the minor league season and join the team once rosters expand in September. Prediction: September 6^th.

Dominic Smith is still traveling with the team, offering moral support and funny antics on his scooter, but it is doubtful he will be able to provide much more during this regular season. The stress reaction in his left foot, which is similar to a stress fracture, will take a long time to heal. Three more weeks in the boot are still required and even then it will be some time before he can run on it. Prediction: if there is October baseball…?

Robinson Cano similarly looks doubtful to return this season with a torn hamstring. Hamstring injuries always seem to take more time than originally stated to heal, so while the four to six week usual diagnosis for this type of injury is promising, given his age and recent leg issues it seems unlikely Cano will return to the Mets this season. It is good to see him hang out in the dugout along with the injured Smith, but this probably all we’ll see of Cano this year. Prediction: still under contract next four seasons.

Now for more a positive update, it appears Jeff McNeil could only miss the minimum 10 days for his hamstring injury. While he probably should be given at least two weeks off, given the nature of the pennant race it seems the Mets will try to get his bat back in the lineup as soon as possible. Prediction: August 27^th.

The rest of the injured Mets are done for the season after undergoing various surgeries: Yoenis Cespedes, Jacob Rhame, and Drew Smith. The Mets have been more fortunate this year in the injury department than in years prior, but they cannot afford to lose too many pieces. Let’s hope these important players with a possibility of returning soon do indeed return and get the team through the difficult road up ahead.