Brandon Nimmo, Francisco Lindor out of lineup for first game vs. Braves – The Denver Post

The Mets were without Brandon Nimmo and Francisco Lindor as they began a Saturday doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves. The two are available for the second game and their return is welcome considering injuries have decimated a post-trade deadline lineup.

Nimmo was removed from the series opener Friday night as a precaution and diagnosed with a left quad contusion Saturday. The leg tightened up on him in Kansas City two weeks ago and the Mets have been playing it safe with their center fielder ever since. Lindor was scratched shortly before the series opener Friday night with tightness on his right side and underwent imaging Saturday morning, which revealed nothing that might land him on the injured list.

“Francisco had an MRI this morning that came back with pretty good news, all things considered,” manager Buck Showalter said Saturday morning.

The lineup the rest of the way through matters little, but still, Showalter seemed somewhat frustrated with the players available. The Mets don’t want their young players to accept losing and fall into bad habits, but they also have to fill the holes of the lineup regulars who are injured and the ones who were traded away.

It’s a tough balance, which could be one of the reasons why the Mets have not put Nimmo or Lindor on the injured list. Nimmo may be able to play left field, which the team doesn’t feel is as labor-intensive as center field

“I don’t feel comfortable with where he is physically to be able to play him in both games,” Showalter said. “I talked to him last night about some options about today and moving forward. I got his input on it.”

Showalter said Nimmo is not quite at 100% but he is getting better daily.

“That’s the word I’m getting back,” Showalter said.

Nimmo sat out the entirety of the series against the Royals last week but was able to start two of three games in Baltimore last weekend and all three games against the Chicago Cubs this week at Citi Field. Jeff McNeil replaced him in the ninth inning of Friday’s loss, playing center field for the first time this season.

Jonathan Arauz has been playing shortstop in place of Lindor. The Mets could call up shortstop prospect Ronny Mauricio if Lindor’s injury requires an IL stint, but otherwise, the options are thin with no obvious answers in Triple-A.

ROSTER MOVES

Right-hander Jimmy Yacabonis pitched 3 2/3 innings Friday night and received a dubious award by being designated for assignment Saturday morning.

The New Jersey native was the victim of a roster crunch. The Mets needed to call up right-hander Denyi Reyes to start the first game of a doubleheader, which was a makeup game from April 29.

Reyes was optioned following the game.

Throwing more than 50 pitches was a huge boost for the bullpen but it left Yacabonis unable to pitch for a few days. Without minor league options, the Mets had no choice but to designate him.

Showalter commended Yacaobonis on an admirable job.

“Sometimes it’s painful,” Showalter said. “When they come into that game, they already know.”

The Mets expect Yacabonis to be claimed off waivers. If he clears, they can outright him to Triple-A. But his performance Friday night likely warrants a look by another team.

“It’s tough,” Showalter said. “We’ve got some option-able pieces [in the bullpen] but they’re guys that are healthy to pitch today and tomorrow.”

Right-hander Reed Garrett was selected by the Mets as the 27th man for both games. Following the first game, the Mets also designated infielder Abraham Almonte and called up right-hander Tyson Miller.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Outfielder Tim Locastro (thumb surgery) has completed a rehab assignment with Triple-A Syracuse and was activated in between games.

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