As if life wasn’t good enough already for the Mets, they welcomed back right fielder Ryan Church last night.
That would be the same Ryan Church who was hitting .307 as arguably the Amazin’s MVP before going on the disabled list in early July because of post-concussion syndrome.
Not only was Church activated, but he went 1-for-3 with a run in the Mets’ 3-0 win over the Astros at Shea and will receive another start tonight before getting a day off tomorrow. The Mets sent backup catcher Robinson Cancel to Triple-A New Orleans to make room for Church.
“If we get what we had with him in the first part of the year, it would be a tremendous addition to our lineup and our defense as well,” Jerry Manuel said of Church.
Despite questions whether he would play again this year, Church said he never felt the concussions would be season-ending.
“I knew I was going to come back, I just didn’t know when,” Church said. “Hopefully, it’s over with and done with, and I don’t ever have to deal with this type of injury again.”
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Manuel plans to stick with his impressive rookie platoon of Nick Evans and Daniel Murphy in left field, so Fernando Tatis will be the odd man out.
Tatis is headed to the bench despite hitting .317 with nine homers and 27 RBIs in 40 games during Church’s most recent absence.
Orlando Hernandez has opted for potentially career-ending surgery to remove a bunion on his right foot.
Reliever Matt Wise has returned to his home in Arizona because his shoulder isn’t responding to treatment. He isn’t expected to pitch again this season.