Mets' Michael Cuddyer underwent surgery for a core muscle injury

After a week that saw Curtis Granderson undergo an unexpected surgery and Juan Lagares avoid an expected one, surgery news about the Mets' 2015 Opening Day outfield is now complete. Multiple sources report that Michael Cuddyer underwent surgery yesterday for a core muscle injury.

Cuddyer, who was the Mets' primary free agent acquisition in the 2014-2015 offseason with a two-year $21 million deal, figures to be the Mets' primary bench player for the 2016 campaign after a disappointing 2015 season that began with him starting in left field and batting cleanup. Michael Conforto seized the left field job with a stellar rookie campaign that began after Cuddyer hit the disabled list in July.

Mets fans will hope that this injury explains some of Cuddyer's struggles, particularly in the postseason, where he was a defensive liability for one game in left field and an offensive no-show throughout. If Cuddyer can have a bounce-back year in 2016, the Mets will have one more offensive arrow in their quiver.