WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo, who pulled his right hamstring Sunday while playing for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic, may be able to join the Mets on Opening Day, after all.
Mets manager Terry Collins said that Nimmo could return to Grapefruit League action as soon as Saturday, despite initial fears that the outfielder could be lost for the spring. If Nimmo can tally more than a week's worth of exhibitions before camp breaks, he stands a good chance of making the team as the Mets' fifth outfielder.
Michael Conforto and Ty Kelly are also competing for that job.
Wright still idle
Beginning Friday, the Mets plan to start scrapping the designated hitter in their Grapefruit League home games. That eliminates much of the remaining chances David Wright had to appear in a game this spring.
When doctors initially diagnosed Wright with a right shoulder impingement in February, the Mets said he could appear in games as a DH without further harming the shoulder. But Wright chose instead to rest completely, only recently resuming fielding drills. The third baseman still has not attempted to throw a baseball, and is not expected to be with the Mets on Opening Day.