NEW YORK (AP) — Now the new guy on the New York Mets is hurt. Right fielder Jeff Francoeur was out of the starting lineup Monday against Philadelphia because of a sore left thumb, leaving the depleted Mets without their most productive hitter of late.
Acquired last month in a trade with Atlanta, Francoeur was injured Sunday while making a diving catch. X-rays were negative, but his thumb swelled up afterward and he went to the hospital Monday for an MRI.
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New York manager Jerry Manuel said the team was awaiting an update, and Francoeur was day-to-day. The Mets have 11 players on the disabled list, including most of their big stars.
Since joining the Mets on July 11, Francoeur was batting .305 with six homers and 24 RBIs in 39 games. He also had eight doubles and two triples.
Cory Sullivan started in right field Monday against Philadelphia left-hander Cliff Lee.
Francoeur lined into an unassisted triple play by Phillies second baseman Eric Bruntlett on Sunday, ending New York’s 9-7 loss. It was the second time in major league history a game ended on an unassisted triple play – Detroit first baseman Johnny Neun also turned the trick in 1927.
In other news, injured Mets third baseman David Wright took grounders on the field and said he still expects to come off the disabled list Sept. 1 in Colorado.
Wright has been sidelined with a concussion since getting hit in the head with a fastball from San Francisco pitcher Matt Cain on Aug. 15.
“I’m really itching to get back out there,” said Wright, who has been taking batting practice indoors.
Wright said he isn’t experiencing any post-concussion symptoms and he hopes to take BP on the field Tuesday – but he won’t travel with the Mets during the first part of their upcoming road trip.
New York plays three games in Florida beginning Tuesday, then three at the Chicago Cubs before opening a series at Coors Field on Sept. 1.
“It felt good to go out there and finally put the spikes back on,” Wright said. “Still on schedule. Still on track.”
The Mets also recalled left-hander Ken Takahashi from Triple-A Buffalo and optioned lefty Pat Misch to their top farm club.
Takahashi, a 40-year-old rookie from Japan, was 0-1 with a 3.00 ERA in 15 relief appearances for the Mets earlier this season.
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