SAN DIEGO -- An optimistic morning for Mets catcher Travis d'Arnaud turned into a disappointing setback Saturday, when d'Arnaud had to cut short a throwing program due to discomfort in his strained right rotator cuff. D'Arnaud, who has been on the disabled list since April 26 with the injury, will refrain from throwing until his discomfort subsides.
"There's a process involved and maybe we didn't wait long enough," Mets manager Terry Collins said before Saturday's 6-3 win over the Padres. "After a few days, you feel pretty good and you think you can do it, then you start out … and the next thing you know, you're at 100 feet where it doesn't feel too good. So you stop him, let it rest a couple more days."
Collins called d'Arnaud's setback "pretty discouraging for him and us," particularly considering the lack of production the Mets have received from their catchers. Starting most days behind the plate, Kevin Plawecki entered Saturday's play batting just .200 with a .560 OPS in seven games since d'Arnaud hit the DL. Veteran backup Rene Rivera has a homer in three games, but no other hits.
Plawecki will continue to receive the lion's share of playing time in d'Arnaud's absence, in what Collins has called a significant opportunity for the former highly-rated prospect.
In the meantime, the Mets' rehab staff in Port St. Lucie, Fla. will continue to monitor d'Arnaud, who is not scheduled to undergo any further medical testing. The Mets consider d'Arnaud's setback relatively minor, and will allow him to hit and perform non-throwing defensive drills while he nurses his shoulder, according to assistant general manager John Ricco.
"He described it as much less than what he originally felt, but still," Ricco said of the discomfort. "His instructions were if he's feeling anything in there, stop and we'll wait a little bit longer."
• The Mets plan to option lefty reliever Josh Edgin to Triple-A Las Vegas when his 30-day rehab window expires Monday, according to Ricco. Edgin, who underwent Tommy John surgery in March 2015, posted a 1.32 ERA for the Mets in 2014, but has been topping out around 89 mph in recent Minor League rehab appearances.