Just Mets

The Mets enter the second game of their pivotal three-game series against the Nationals on Tuesday without Michael Cuddyer, who continues to suffer from a bone bruise in his left knee.

Cuddyer remains active, meaning the Mets will be playing with 24 players once again on Tuesday.

Terry Collins said on Tuesday the club could make a decision after Tuesday’s game as to whether or not Cuddyer will be placed on the disabled list.

The funny thing is, Cuddyer has actually been hitting a little bit better since he injured his knee. He’s posted an .851 OPS in nine games during the month of July.

But the reality is Cuddyer should’ve been placed on the disabled list when the injury was sustained.

It has been clear since he injured his knee this was not going away without an extended period of rest – people around the team have been saying this since he injured his knee, and Cuddyer recently told the media himself this is something that will have to be managed throughout the year. If he can’t play everyday and needs to be pulled midway through games because of the pain, there’s no reason for him to be an active player.

Now, there’s nobody else for the team to turn to in the minor leagues who is on the 40-man roster. Darrell Ceciliani is on the disabled list in Las Vegas, and he is not a suitable everyday player. They could turn to Travis Taijeron, although he is not on the 40-man roster and strikes out a ton as it is.

They could consider calling up Michael Conforto from Double-A, but the club has been very hesitant to do so to this point, although they have mulled this option. However, their hand may be forced unless they can find a left fielder in trade in the next few hours, because they simply cannot choose to play short while they play the day-to-day scenario with Cuddyer’s knee.