Skip to content

Collins 'very concerned' with Lagares' oblique strain

Steve Mitchell / USA TODAY Sports

Juan Lagares' latest injury isn't sitting well with manager Terry Collins.

The New York Mets outfielder, who's struggled with multiple injuries in recent seasons, left Saturday's contest against the Atlanta Braves with a left oblique strain, which his skipper is hopping doesn't linger for the oft-injured center fielder.

"I'm concerned. Those things can be one of those injuries that don't go away for awhile," Collins said Saturday, according to Marc Carig of Newsday. "I'm very concerned."

Lagares appeared to suffer the injury in the third inning while trying to run out a groundball to third base.

(Courtesy: MLB.com)

In 2016, he missed 47 games with the club as he underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his thumb. He was also hampered by a nagging elbow injury, as well as a strain to his right shoulder in 2015.

The 28-year-old, who was expected to begin the season as the Mets' fourth outfielder, now may not be healthy in time for Opening Day, and with Brandon Nimmo still battling a hamstring issue suffered at the World Baseball Classic, the Mets could be without crucial outfield depth to begin the season.

"I'm frustrated but it's nothing you can control," Lagares told Carig. "I tried to (do) my job, run the bases hard."

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox