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Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen gave some updates to reporters today regarding the Mets’ various injuries, and there’s relatively good news about Brandon Nimmo and Jed Lowrie: Nimmo could appear in his first rehab game within the next few days, while Lowrie played in a simulated game today and could be nearing a rehab stint of his own.
A breakout player last year, Nimmo struggled on the field this year before hitting the injured list because of a bulging disc in his neck. In 161 plate appearances, he hit just .200/.344/.323 with three home runs and an 88 wRC+, all of which was a big step down from his .263/.404/.483 line with 17 home runs and a 149 wRC+ in 2018. It’s certainly possible that his neck injury factored into his early-season performance. Nimmo last played in a game on May 20.
As for Lowrie, well, Mets fans would be pleasantly surprised to see him play a game for the major league team at all this year. Sidelined since spring training with what began as a knee injury and turned into what the Mets described as a “left side” issue affecting much of his body, Lowrie is said to be over that injury or combination of injuries. He’s also been battling a right calf injury. Last year with the A’s, he hit .267/.353/.448 with a 122 wRC+, and given that Robinson Cano’s season is very likely over and Jeff McNeil hit the injured list with a hamstring injury today—albeit a less severe one than Cano’s—the Mets could use Lowrie in their infield or coming off their bench down the stretch.