Injury Recovery and Management
New York Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo has faced a series of injury setbacks during spring training, with his recent knee soreness keeping him out of play for the past week. After an MRI on Tuesday revealed only inflammation and ruled out any structural damage, manager Carlos Mendoza expressed measured optimism. Mendoza noted that Nimmo was waiting for the final 10% of his soreness to subside before resuming action, underscoring a cautious yet positive approach to the recovery process. According to sources close to the club informed, Nimmo even participated in live at-bats during recent batting practice sessions.
Return Prospects for Upcoming Games
Mendoza indicated that the team is planning for Nimmo’s return to the lineup as early as Sunday afternoon, when the Mets face the Washington Nationals. The manager detailed that Nimmo took live batting practice on Friday and is scheduled to do the same on Saturday. This progression is seen as a promising step forward in Nimmo’s recovery, as he prepares for the challenges ahead. The swift response to the inflammation assessment is helping the team maintain a positive outlook on his return.
Performance and Contractual Evolution
As Nimmo approaches his 32nd birthday on Opening Day, this season marks the beginning of the third year of his eight-year, $162 million contract signed in December 2022. During the previous season, he appeared in 151 games, posting a batting line of .224/.327/.399 along with 23 home runs, 90 RBIs, and 15 stolen bases. However, his performance dipped significantly in the latter part of the season, a downturn attributed partly to plantar fasciitis—a condition that hampered him further during the postseason. Despite these setbacks, Nimmo remains confident that his issues with his foot are behind him, even as he may temporarily serve as the designated hitter while transitioning back to full fitness.
Live Batting Practice and Team Integration
An encouraging sign of Nimmo’s progress emerged during a recent live batting practice session. Mendoza revealed that the veteran outfielder took swings against A.J. Minter, marking a significant milestone in integrating him back into competitive play. Minter, returning from left hip surgery sustained last August, faced hitters for only the second time, further emphasizing the gradual return of normalcy within the team’s lineup. These developments underscore the club’s proactive approach in managing player fitness while mapping out their strategy for the upcoming season.