Michael Cuddyer has hit better since returning from his injury

After signing a two-year deal this past offseason, Michael Cuddyer was having an underwhelming season when he was placed on the disabled list with a knee injury. At that point, he was batting just .250/.303/.380. Measured by wRC+, Cuddyer was a solidly below average hitter, checking in at 93.

Upon being activated from the disabled list earlier this month, Cuddyer has seen his role change. Previously entrenched as the everyday left fielder, he has seen his playing time there decrease due to the presence of Michael Conforto, who has started against right-handed pitchers. Cuddyer has found his way into the lineup as the left fielder when the Mets are facing lefties, as a pinch hitter, and now as fill in for the injured Lucas Duda at first base, and he has performed well. Since August 11, in an albeit small sample size, he is hitting .341/.383/.568 with two home runs and 167 wRC+.

Going forward, continued success at the plate for Cuddyer would be a major boon for the Mets. He has adjusted well in his new role with the team and has looked like a much more capable hitter in the past half-month. At worst, his play has served to bolster the Mets' bench, alongside trade deadline acquisitions Kelly Johnson and Juan Uribe.