admin / June 13, 2018
Mets consider sending Michael Conforto to minors
The New York Mets are considering sending Michael Conforto to the minors to help the slumping outfielder regain his swing, according to the New York Post.
Citing multiple sources, the Post reported late Saturday that team officials think a demotion to Triple-A Las Vegas could benefit Conforto while helping the Mets solve a logjam in their outfield.
The Mets had considered demoting Conforto in a corresponding move to Yoenis Cespedes’ activation from the disabled list, according to the Post.
Conforto, 25, enjoyed a breakout 2017 season before suffering the shoulder injury in late August. He batted .279 with 27 home runs and 68 RBIs in 109 games.
This season, Conforto is part of a crowded outfield rotation for the Mets that includes Jay Bruce, Brandon Nimmo and Jose Bautista. Aside from Cespedes’ potential activation, the Mets will have to open a spot on their 25-man roster for infielder Wilmer Flores, who is nearing a return from the DL.
Manager Dave Martinez said Murphy will accompany the team to New York, where it opens a two-game series against the Yankees on Tuesday. The Nationals will play five straight games in American League parks, where they’ll need a designated hitter.
I wanted to see where he’s at and get him here, and he looked pretty good, Martinez said. He played two days in a row (Double-A Harrisburg) so we didn’t want him to do much, but we wanted to get him back here. So, we’ll see how he feels tomorrow and we’ll touch base and see where we go from there.
Murphy has finished second in batting in the National League each of his two seasons with the Nationals, hitting .347 in 2016 and .322 in 2017.
Also Sunday, the Nationals placed right-handed pitchers Stephen Strasburg and Brandon Kintzler on the 10-day disabled list.
The Nationals had announced Saturday that Strasburg (right shoulder inflammation) was headed for the disabled list following an MRI. He left Friday night’s start against the Giants after two innings.
Strasburg is 5-5 with a 3.46 ERA in 13 starts. He ranks fourth in the National League with 95 strikeouts. Kintzler is 1-2 with two saves, 13 holds and a 4.45 ERA in 31 appearances.
Setup man Kintzler (right forearm flexor strain) left Saturday’s game against the Giants in the eighth inning with forearm tightness.
