d'Arnaud begins rehab assignment
Mets backstop collects hit, catches five innings for Double-A Binghamton
NEW YORK -- Following days of poor weather in Florida, the Mets moved Travis d'Arnaud's rehab assignment to Double-A Binghamton on Saturday without him ever playing a game at Class A Advanced St. Lucie. It worked -- the weather held and d'Arnaud finished 1-for-3 with a single, catching five innings.
The Mets originally hoped to have d'Arnaud, who has been on the disabled list since June 21 with a sprained left elbow, start a rehab assignment on Thursday. But two consecutive rainouts in Florida forced the team to alter its plans.
The delay could push d'Arnaud's return, once tentatively scheduled for late next week, back a day or two. But Mets manager Terry Collins said how d'Arnaud is swinging the bat will carry more weight than his results.
"The one thing we have to do is we'll bring him back when he's ready to come back," Collins said. "Just to have him go down and play and get 10 or 12 at-bats, if he's not swinging good, we're defeating the purpose of what the rehab's about. The rehab's about getting him ready to play in the big leagues."
This is d'Arnaud's second DL stint of the season. In 19 games, he has hit .296 with four home runs and an .873 OPS.