Michael Conforto still dealing with back discomfort

Michael Conforto is absent from the Mets’ lineup for the second straight day due to back stiffness. Juan Lagares will fill in for Conforto as the team’s leadoff hitter and center fielder.

Conforto was initially in last night’s lineup but was scratched with a sore back, prompting Terry Collins to say that he was “not worried.” Collins pointed to the fact that Conforto had just played both games of a doubleheader in the Atlanta heat as a possible reason for the soreness. As for why Conforto will miss a second straight game, Collins remarked that “we’ve got to be careful with this.” The 24-year-old outfielder has been one of the team’s most consistent players, hitting .293/.412/.592 with 14 home runs in 233 plate appearances.

On the bright side, Yoenis Cespedes is back in tonight’s lineup. The slugging left fielder was removed from last night’s game with a sore left heel.