One of the New York Mets’ most reliable regulars is questionable physically as they head into one of the hardest and most important parts of the season.
In the seventh inning of Sunday’s series finale vs the Miami Marlins, Brandon Nimmo left the game due to a right shoulder strain. The trainer paid Nimmo a visit after he successfully blocked an Andrew Nardi delivery on the first blow. He continued to play and recorded two more strikeout swings. Nimmo was replaced in left field by Jeff McNeil, who had earlier in the inning batted for catcher Luis Torrens.
In the top of the seventh, Nimmo had made a diving catch to maintain the tie in the game.
Following the game, manager Carlos Mendoza informed reporters that Nimmo would receive an MRI on that shoulder on Monday. During that at-bat, the outfielder described the pain as a “general achiness.”
Brandon Nimmo has exited the game after appearing to tweak something during his 7th inning at-bat
— SNY (@SNYtv) August 18, 2024
(via @TheRokuChannel) pic.twitter.com/tXU4dtqnox
It would be devastating for Nimmo and the Mets if he were to miss any significant time. Despite going through one of his worst slumps ever over the last month, Nimmo hit two home runs this past weekend against Miami, including the game-winning solo homer during the at-bat prior to his injury on Sunday. Nimmo and Francisco Lindor had worked together earlier in the season to revitalize the New York offense and put the team back in the running for the postseason.
Nimmo’s slump has drifted his average down to .229 with a .757 OPS.
This coming week and a half could determine how long the Mets are in the running. This past week, New York played two teams in last place and only managed to split six games. The Padres and Diamondbacks, two of the hottest teams in baseball and two of the three clubs the Mets are chasing for the National League wild card, will host the final three games of their massive seven-game homestand before heading back west.
Outfielder Starling Marte, who had been out for eight weeks with a bone bruise in his right knee, is back with the Mets. Marte’s Sunday total was 1 for 3. The Mets could move Jesse Winker to left field more frequently if Nimmo were to miss time, with Marte playing most of the time in right and Tyrone Taylor able to cover in either position.
(Photo of Brandon Nimmo from Aug. 10: Brandon Sloter / Getty Images)
