Matt den Dekker's broken wrist will not require surgery

Best possible news no surgery just gotta wear this thing for a month #LGM twitter.com/UpperDekker/st…

— Matt den Dekker (@UpperDekker) March 25, 2013

Per Matt den Dekker himself, the Mets prospect will not require surgery on his broken wrist, but will have to wear a stylish orange-and-blue cast on his arm for a month. Den Dekker injured his wrist yesterday attempting to make a leaping grab on an Austin Jackson flyball in the Mets spring training game with the Tigers. I would guess he'd probably need some rehab time after the cast comes off, but could be ready to man centerfield in Vegas as soon as the middle of May.

Den Dekker had gotten an extended look this Spring, batting .205/.222/.364 in 45 plate appearances. Strikeouts continued to be his bugaboo, as he struck out 16 times against just a single walk. Den Dekker struggled with Ks in 2012 as well, whiffing 154 times in 585 plate appearances between Binghamton and Buffalo. He slotted in at #17 on the Amazin' Avenue 2013 Mets Prospect list, and Rob had this to say about the former 5th round pick:

2012 was a tale of two seasons for the former Gator. Upon return to Binghamton den Dekker absolutely tore apart Double-A pitching to the tune of a .960 OPS. However, upon promotion to Triple-A Den Dekker would go on to lose over .300 points off that OPS -- while watching his strikeout rate skyrocket. He was able to maintain some home run power (.153 ISO), though well below his career norms. Many prospects struggle in their first exposure to a new level; but as a 25-year old, den Dekker has little margin for error -- especially when a nearly 30% strikeout rate indicates a fundamental flaw. On the bright side, his defensive value in center means that he will have an impact on the big league team in some way, shape or form. But at this point the needle is shifting more towards good defensive replacement than everyday outfielder.