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After receiving cortisone shots in both of his hips on Friday, Lucas Duda swung a bat today at spring training. The first baseman felt stiffness in his back and hips right before the Mets began playing Grapefruit League games. Duda should see game action soon.
Any minor injury with Duda is concerning, as he is coming off a stress fracture in his back that sidelined him for four months in 2016. In the event Duda’s injury flares up again, the Mets have had Jay Bruce take some practice at first base. Other backup first base options include Wilmer Flores and potentially Michael Conforto.
Although he hit just .229/.302/.412 with 7 home runs and a 91 wRC+ in his abbreviated season last year, he hit 57 home runs with a .249/.350/.483 line between the 2014 and 2015 seasons. He and the Mets agreed to a $7.25 million salary for the 2017 season, after which he’s eligible to become a free agent.