MLB

Off the DL, Lagares hits the ground running

DENVER — Juan Lagares picked up where left off, but that might not get him back in the Mets lineup on Friday.

“Two big hits for us, but we’ve got to still mix and match our outfield and get them going,” manager Terry Collins said after Lagares went 2-for-4 with two doubles in the Mets’ 7-4 loss to the Rockies.

Lagares, returning from two weeks on the disabled list with a pulled right hamstring, started in center field with Chris Young in left and Curtis Granderson in right. It represented the first look at Collins’ new outfield rotation, which also includes Eric Young Jr.

Collins said he is committed to playing the four outfielders on a regular basis in the short term, but that plan might not stick.

“I don’t mind [four] for a while, but I think in the long run you’ve got to have three guys you’re going to run out there,” Collins said.

Of the four, Young Jr. — who made a pinch-hitting appearance and walked — might bring the most value as a reserve, according to Collins.

“He would be a guy that you would like to come off the bench, he has a little versatility, the fact he could play center, left, he can play second,” Collins said. “The other thing he brings is it’s always amazing how many times late in the game, you’ve got the pitcher who comes up to lead off the inning. [Young Jr.] is the ideal guy to go hit in that spot.”


LaTroy Hawkins has a 2.38 ERA and nine saves for the Rockies. The 41-year-old right-hander signed a one-year deal worth $2.25 million with the Rockies after spending last season with the Mets.

“I thought I had a good chance of being back in New York,” Hawkins said. “But when the Rockies called it was pretty tough for the Mets to get to that number where the Rockies were. The numbers just didn’t work out.”


Lucas Duda was moved into the cleanup spot, with Granderson dropped to sixth in the order for the first time this season.

Collins had been waiting until Duda appeared more comfortable at the plate in recent weeks to give him a shot at cleanup. Duda and Granderson both finished 1-for-4.

“I’m hoping it sticks for quite a while,” Collins said. “What I try to do is bunch up guys who are getting on base and see if we can produce some runs in this place. [The Rockies] are scoring enough runs that it’s going to be tough to keep them down.”