WASHINGTON -- Mets shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera did not take an at-bat or even step foot onto the field in Wednesday's 2-0 win over the Nationals, but he nonetheless left the game in the first inning due to back spasms.
Cabrera, who was on the Mets' official lineup card when the game began at Nationals Park, never emerged from the dugout. Matt Reynolds replaced him on defense in the bottom of the first inning, before his spot in the lineup came up. As he left the park after the game, Cabrera flashed reporters the thumbs-up sign, indicating that he is not seriously injured.
"All of a sudden, it locked up on him downstairs as he was stretching," manager Terry Collins said. "He says he feels fine and will be ready for Friday. I hope he is."
Appearing in all 46 of the Mets' games this season, Cabrera was batting .283 with three home runs and a .727 OPS at the time of his departure.
Reynolds, ranked by MLBPipeline as the Mets' No. 9 prospect, recorded his first Major League hit while subbing for Cabrera, singling in the fifth on a 1-for-3 day. He was 0-for-6 to start his career.