The reality show of the New York Mets and Yoenis Cespedes and of course this will continue at some point Wednesday afternoon. But you can’t top the developments of Tuesday prior to the Mets 6-3 win over the San Diego Padres at Citi Field.
Cespedes was in the dugout, hiding of course when rookie Jeff McNeil got his first Major League hit in the eighth inning on the first pitch. He was a no-show along with assistant GM John Ricco an hour before the first pitch.
This is a reality show at Citi Field and it got interesting with another pitching gem from Zack Wheeler that had to boost his trade availability. Then again, when is there a day around the Mets when things are not interesting during this losing season? Yoenis Cespedes is certainly making this more and more award winning reality.
He is now on the 10-day disabled list with two bad heels that supposedly have attributed to other medical issues with a quad, hamstrings and so forth. So McNeil, who was ripping the ball in Las Vegas was called up which also prompts speculation that a trade could be in the works with Asdrubal Cabrera.
Leave that speculation for the next few days with the non-waiver trade deadline a week away. And of course, a trade by the Mets also can be reality. Remember, Wilmer Flores?
Because Cespedes is the highest paid on this Mets roster, and with a contract that is turning out to be highway robbery, he will always be the center of attention. And with an injury that is almost certain to shut down his season there was that recurring drama about medical evaluations, the manager not providing the right answers, and of course Cespedes and assistant GM John Ricco have major roles.
So here is the latest about Yoenis Cespedes, and of course this can change again before the Mets take the field for their matinee finale with the Padres Wednesday afternoon.
He was placed on the 10-day disabled list and awaits further evaluation from another doctor who, and according to manager Mickey Callaway is a specialist and out of town. “One of the best in the country,” he said.
Of course there was drama and that is typical with the Mets. We never heard a word from Yoenis Cespedes and when that happens there is always drama. He was in the Mets clubhouse prior to the game Tuesday as the media assembled in the press conference room.
And the wait began. Over an hour and a half, we waited. No Cespedes in the room and no John Ricco. Apparently, the foot specialist was still being sought to see Cespedes because at the end of a confusing evening it was revealed that Cespedes would get this other opinion at some point Wednesday.
There is the overall consensus that Yoenis Cespedes will be informed that surgery will need to be done on two heels that are essential to his overall play on the field. And now we also are informed, this by Cespedes, that recurring injuries have contributed to his extended time on the disabled list.
In fact, Yoenis Cespedes the past two years has spent more time on the disabled list than on the playing field, 81 games last season with hamstring and quad issues. The hip flexor strain put him on the disabled list May 14th and he returned last Friday night at Yankee Stadium after missing the past 9-½ weeks.
This expected surgery to alleviate pain in his heels will cause Cespedes to shut down the remainder of this season and miss half of next. That is expected to be announced and who knows if Cespedes will talk. The Mets always seem to protect their highest paid player in this reality show at Citi Field.
More time on the disabled list and less on the field is becoming the legacy for Yoenis Cespedes during his tenure in New York. And what is bothersome, is how this “Diva” again gets the special treatment and has this way of avoiding the questions.
This has happened in the past. There was the golf game that was being played when he was on the disabled list in the past, an “optic” described by then GM Sandy Alderson. Each and every time that Yoenis Cespedes gets hurt, missing an extended period of time, there is always that uncertainty as to when he will return to the lineup.
Tuesday was that other example and for some reason the Mets continued to make this the reality story of their losing season. No announcement when Cespedes or Ricco would provide an update.
We waited and sat downstairs as game time quickly approached.
Then a Mets head of Media Relations made his appearance. No site of Cespedes or John Ricco.
He said, what the manager didn’t an hour before. Yoenis Cespedes was put on the disabled list and would await further evaluation. An announcement and update would be provided after the game.
Callaway said after the Mets win, that specialist would provide a second opinion. So the drama will continue Wednesday and anything is possible. This is the Mets “Diva” Yoenis Cespedes and this team continues their reality show in a losing season.
Stay tuned because this is getting more interesting. More so, the Mets as an organization continue to place themselves in a negative position because they cover up every medical issue that confronts Yoenis Cespedes and the answers are never clear.
And to make matters worse, this is a lost season for the Mets. So it is clear nobody is looking good with the Yoenis Cespedes situation.
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