PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Though Brandon Nimmo said that starting on Opening Day is “realistic,” the New York Mets’ longest-tenured player couldn’t be sure that he’d be fully recovered from right knee soreness by the start of the season.
“Each day is getting better,” Nimmo said. “It’s a bit of a slow process, but we’re getting started so I can get some at-bats ahead of Opening Day.”
Nimmo believes a tweak to his swing mechanics initially caused the soreness. He received an injection in his knee last week.
“There’s definitely still some soreness, definitely still some pain,” he said Friday. “What we’re trying to do is keep things at a controlled level of pain up to a certain threshold, and that’s OK.”
Nimmo’s start Thursday was his first in 13 days, as he went 1-for-3 as the designated hitter. He’s slated to start again at DH on Saturday, and he acknowledged that he may start Opening Day at DH rather than left field. There’s no set plan for his return to the field.
“Out in the outfield, my most valuable asset is my legs. When I’m able to run at 100 percent, I’ll be a better outfielder,” said Nimmo, who said he’s running at about 80 percent. “As I get close to 100 percent, then I’ll be able to play the outfield. Before that point, it will probably do more harm than good.
“Any steps backward right now would be detrimental to Opening Day, so I’m trying to be careful with it.”
With less than two weeks to go before Opening Day in Houston, manager Carlos Mendoza isn’t concerned.
“This could turn the corner at any day,” Mendoza said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if pretty soon he came in and is ready to go. We’ve still got time.”
The injury is not connected to the plantar fasciitis Nimmo dealt with in his left foot in the postseason. That hasn’t been an issue for him this spring.
The Mets have veteran depth in their outfield with Tyrone Taylor, Starling Marte and Jesse Winker all capable of playing left field if Nimmo has to DH or miss time. The Mets have been cautious with Marte this spring, as well, coming off a bone bruise in his knee; his start Friday night was his third of the spring, all at DH and all since Monday. Winker, anticipated to be the DH against right-handed pitching this season, has seen some time defensively in left field in the Grapefruit League.
If Nimmo were to need an injured list stint, it could open a spot for Alexander Canario, whom the Mets acquired earlier this spring from the Cubs. Canario is out of minor-league options and would have to be placed on waivers if not on the Opening Day roster.
Catcher Francisco Alvarez, shown with pitcher Clay Holmes earlier in spring training, broke the hamate bone in his left hand. (Sam Navarro / Imagn Images)
Francisco Alvarez should have an ‘easy recovery’
When Alvarez felt the pop in his hand, he knew something was wrong.
Alvarez broke the hamate bone in his left hand during a swing last week, requiring surgery on Sunday. The injury usually takes six to eight weeks for a full return to action.
“It’s hard because I worked so hard in the offseason,” Alvarez said. “It’s hard for my mind. But I’ve got to keep going.”
A broken hamate is a common injury for hitters, explained Dr. David Hay, an orthopedic hand and wrist surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Orthopedics in Los Angeles. (Dr. Hay did not treat Alvarez.) The hamate bone is triangular with a hook projecting out toward the ring and little fingers — like a fist with a thumbs up, said Dr. Hay. The break is usually of that hook, and so surgery cuts off the rest of the hook and allows the hand to heal around it.
“The No. 1 thing I tell patients is you’ve got to let the healing come to you,” Dr. Hay said. “It’s sort of a zen recovery, where you’re not trying to push it. It’s healing, and as it heals, you’re able to do more and more. If you follow your hand, you’ll be back recovered in six or seven weeks and you’ll think it was the easiest recovery.”
Once healed, there isn’t much of a concern for lingering issues, Dr. Hay said.
“The vast majority of patients progress through the recovery well, get back to baseball and don’t have any long-term problems,” Dr. Hay said.
Alvarez is hopeful that he can begin swinging a bat again by his third week of recovery, right at the end of March.
“My goal is to make it as quick as possible,” he said.
Mets’ bullpen getting healthier
Both A.J. Minter and Dedniel Núñez have made important steps toward being ready for Opening Day. Minter made his Grapefruit League debut with a perfect inning on Wednesday — his first game action since having surgery on his hip late last season.
“It was exciting to be back out there,” the lefty said. “It was a long time coming and a lot of hard work this offseason that’s starting to pay off.”
Minter said he’s going to do all he can to be ready for Opening Day while keeping in mind the longer season.
“The hardest thing is just being patient and not pushing things,” he said. “I think we’ve done a really good job of having a plan together and telling me no when I needed to be told no.”
Minter’s next appearance is scheduled for Saturday.
Meanwhile, Núñez threw two innings of live batting practice Thursday and is expected to make his Grapefruit League debut Monday. The right-hander made just one appearance over the final two months last season with elbow soreness.
(Top photo of Brandon Nimmo: Rich Storry / Getty Images)
