Brandon Nimmo’s MRI comes back negative, outfielder listed as day-to-day

An MRI on Brandon Nimmo’s right pinky came back negative this afternoon. The New York Mets have said that the outfielder is day-to-day, and he is out of the lineup tonight against the Pittsburgh Pirates. According to Anthony DiComo, he will return to the lineup once he can grip a bat without feeling discomfort.

Nimmo exited yesterday’s game after being hit by a pitch on the right hand. He was visibly shaken but stayed in after being hit. However, he was replaced later on in the contest by Michael Conforto.

The news could have been significantly worse for Nimmo, who is enjoying a breakout season in his first full year in the majors. He is slashing .283/.403/.571 with a 168 wRC+ and a 2.8 fWAR. He ranks fifth in all of baseball in wRC+ and eighth with a .974 OPS.

The Mets already have a depleted outfield that has lost Yoenis Cespedes, Jay Bruce, and Juan Lagares to injuries. The team will go with an outfield of Dominic Smith, Michael Conforto, and Jose Bautista for tonight’s game. Kevin Kaczmarski, who was recently called up from Triple-A Las Vegas, is the only outfielder on the bench if Nimmo is unable to play, although Wilmer Flores or Jose Reyes could potentially be used in the outfield in an emergency situation if needed.