Mets give updates on Brandon Nimmo, Jed Lowrie injuries

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.