WASHINGTON -- First baseman Lucas Duda has experienced a setback in his return from a hyperextended left elbow, dousing the Mets' hopes for him to come off the disabled list Monday when eligible.
Duda is experiencing "slight elbow discomfort on full extension," according to a team spokesman. As a result, he rested Saturday and Sunday, after going 1-for-3 in his Minor League rehab debut Friday night for Class A St. Lucie. The Mets did not offer a timetable for Duda to resume his rehab assignment.
In Duda's absence, hot-hitting T.J. Rivera started a third consecutive game Sunday at Nationals Park, and should continue to play regularly at first base. Wilmer Flores, the Mets' regular backup first baseman, began a rehab assignment Saturday for Class A St. Lucie and will also be an option upon his return.
But the Mets still desire a speedy recovery for Duda, who was batting .238 with four home runs and a .931 OPS in 13 games prior to his injury. Duda has struggled to stay healthy over the past two seasons, missing nearly four months last year due to a stress fracture in his lower back.
Should Duda's injury linger, the Mets could eventually consider a promotion for No. 2 prospect Dominic Smith, who entered Sunday's play with a .352 average and two home runs in 23 games for Triple-A Las Vegas. But general manager Sandy Alderson said recently that the team wants to give both Smith and top-ranked prospect Amed Rosario more seasoning in the Minors.