Lagares rejoins club from trip to mourn aunt

NEW YORK -- Center fielder Juan Lagares returned to the Mets for Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Dodgers, following a one-day absence to grieve his aunt's death in the Dominican Republic.

The Mets inserted Lagares right back into the starting lineup, batting him leadoff against left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu. Chris Young played left field and Granderson played right, with Eric Young Jr. shifting to the bench.

"I have to be ready," said Lagares before going 3-for-5, lifting his batting average to .315. "I spent a couple days with my family. They're doing a little better now, and I feel better to see them. We've just got to keep doing what we're doing here."

Lagares flew to the Dominican Republic on the Mets' off-day Monday to be with his family. His late aunt raised him there as a child.

"We were very close," Lagares said.