Lucas Duda will miss his fourth straight game with a strain in his lower back.
Duda called his condition a, “lumbar strain” in his back, and said he was feeling better on Friday afternoon.
Duda said he intends to go through a full batting practice routine – including taking ground balls – on Friday afternoon.
It’s still not clear when Duda will return, although Terry Collins said on Thursday if the condition lingers, the club would have to consider placing the first baseman on the disabled list sooner rather than later.
However, on Friday, Collins said if Duda is not able to go Saturday, they are still less inclined to disable Duda with a left-hander pitching for the Pirates on Sunday and an off-day on Monday.
As such, the club would eye a Tuesday return in Baltimore for Duda.
Just Mets 