Nimmo coming around after early obstacles

March 7th, 2019

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo found ways to keep himself busy on Thursday, even before turning in his best performance of the spring.

Nimmo, who has been making his way back from a stomach bug which was erroneously attributed to undercooked chicken last week, began the day by taking at-bats at the Mets' Minor League facility. Then Nimmo went 1-for-3 in the Mets' 6-4 loss to the rival Nationals at FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach.

"I'm catching up on some ABs that I lost before," Nimmo said.

It's been a rough start to the spring for Nimmo, who set career highs in home runs (17) and RBIs (47) last season. Besides his illness, Nimmo has been making his way back from a shoulder injury, which has limited both his fielding and his hitting. Nimmo's average sits at .133 after four games this spring.

The outfielder, who turns 26 on March 27, said he played left field on Thursday to limit how much he had to throw.

"Even if I had to make a throw to home, it'd still be shorter," Nimmo said. "So we played left strategically."

As for his bat, Nimmo has urged patience in the short-term. He had a .263/.404/.483 slash line last season, including 28 doubles in 140 games.

"I kind of feel like it's January with the bat," Nimmo said. "I basically had to start over -- I was talking to the strength guys, and I haven't done an upper-body or a proper lower-body lift in four weeks, so I really kind of am starting over."

Nimmo said he’ll likely be off Friday before returning to the field on Saturday.

Ramos confident in d’Arnaud, defense

Nimmo isn’t the only Met making his way back from injury. Catcher Travis d’Arnaud took the field earlier this week for the first time since Tommy John surgery last spring.

Two-time All-Star catcher Wilson Ramos, who went 0-for-2 with a walk on Thursday, said he’s seen positive, early strides from d’Arnaud.

“We got a pretty good relationship,” Ramos said. “With [Tomas] Nido, with him, we’re all together working really hard. They teach me about their strengths. ... That’s very important for me to have communication with them.”

Ramos said building relationships with teammates and working on his defense have been goals of his in recent weeks.

“Been doing my drills, all I’ve been doing for years, but right now, I’m concentrating more on my defense,” Ramos said. “Getting to know those guys better and better because all my drills are simple. Go to the cage early, take a couple of swings – 20, 30 swings before the game – that’s easy for me.”

Alonso progressing

Mets top prospect Pete Alonso continued his strong start to the spring, recording two hits in five at-bats and pushing his average up to .409.

Tebow time

Former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback and Mets outfielder Tim Tebow had an RBI single in three at-bats for the Mets on Thursday before being hit by a pitch. Tebow had two hits earlier in the week against the Red Sox and has raised his spring average to .250.

Up next

The Mets return to Port St. Lucie Friday to host the rival Marlins at 1:10 p.m. ET. Noah Syndergaard will start for the Mets opposite right-hander Dan Straily.