Mets catching prospect Travis d’Arnaud, out since April 17 after breaking a bone in his left foot with Triple-A Las Vegas, was scheduled to go to Port St. Lucie last night and begin playing in Gulf Coast League games tomorrow.
“We need to see him play for a while,” general manager Sandy Alderson said of one of the prizes of the R.A. Dickey trade.
“We only have 2 1/2 months left of the season. Hopefully he stays healthy … and we get to see him a little bit here in September.”
The Mets will keep their fingers crossed the injury-prone d’Arnaud is able to avoid more health woes.
“He just needs to play,” said Alderson, who expects the catcher to move to Double-A Binghamton or Las Vegas quickly.
* Alderson doesn’t anticipate making any significant additions to the roster by next Wednesday’s trade deadline.
“It’s probably not realistic to think that’s gonna happen, given what we know of other teams at this point,” Alderson said. “In the absence of conversation, but with the benefit of a certain amount of observation and research.”
He admitted the trade market hadn’t really become clear yet, so opportunities may pop up as the deadline approaches.
* Alderson is hesitant to bring up Triple-A right-hander Rafael Montero for Friday’s doubleheader and doesn’t expect him to be on the mound against Washington.
“[He] was in the conversation, [but] he doesn’t have to be put on the roster until 2015,” Alderson said. “He hasn’t pitched exceptionally well at Las Vegas the last two or three times out.”
Jenrry Mejia remained in consideration, Alderson said. Zack Wheeler could be pushed back a day, but that would create a hole Thursday.
* Justin Turner made it off the disabled list yesterday after being out with a left rib injury since June 17. Right-handed pitcher Greg Burke was optioned to Triple-A to make room for Turner, who pinch-hit and nearly tied the game last night until his liner was snared by Jason Heyward with a diving catch.
* Lucas Duda (ribs) is “making progress slowly,” according to Alderson, and may start playing in games later in the week. Duda’s role is unclear with the Mets with Ike Davis back at first and the emergence of Eric Young Jr. in left field. … Alderson said Jon Niese (shoulder) is “coming along” and could throw a bullpen at Citi Field soon.
* Juan Lagares was named NL Player of the Week after getting seven hits in 10 at-bats since the All-Star break, but his recent success won’t alter manager Terry Collins’ plan of continuing the platoon in center field with Lagares and Kirk Nieuwenhuis.
Additional reporting by Mike Puma