Michael Conforto Returns to Mets Lineup Today

Michael Conforto officially makes his return to the Major Leagues today.

The New York Mets activated the center fielder Thursday morning from the 10-day Disabled List, and he will leadoff for the Mets when they face the Nationals this afternoon in Washington. 

To make room for Conforto on the roster, the Mets optioned utility infielder Phillip Evans to Triple-A Las Vegas of the Pacific Coast League.

Last season, Conforto hit .279 with 27 home runs, 20 doubles and 68 RBI in 109 games. His All-Star campaign was cut short in August when he tore the posterior capsule in his left shoulder and was lost for the remainder of the season.

According to a Mets Press Release: “at the time of the injury, Conforto ranked among NL leaders in OPS (.944, ninth), OBP (.386, 12^th) and slugging percentage (.558, ninth). He was also the first Met to hit at least 25 homers in his age 24 season or younger since David Wright hit 30 homers in his age 24 season in 2007.”

The question remains how Manager Mickey Callaway will use Conforto in the lineup? And, what does it mean for Brandon Nimmo?

Last season, Terry Collins used Conforto primarily as a leadoff hitter, which seemed to work, even though Conforto projects as a middle-of-the-order slugger. In 270 at bats in the leadoff spot, Conforto hit .281 with 20 home runs and 45 RBI.

Of all the spots in the batting order, leading off seemed to be the most comfortable for Conforto, although he did hit .370 with three bombs and 8 RBI in 32 plate appearances out of the three spot in the batting order.

With Conforto back in the lineup it means limited at bats now for Brandon Nimmo, who lit things up in Spring Training, and was off to a decent start in the regular season, batting .286 in seven at bats.

It would have made sense for the Mets to option Nimmo to Triple-A so he can continue to get regular playing time and at bats. But, Callaway really liked what he saw from the speedy 25-year old this spring, and wants him on the roster. Plus Callaway likes to play everybody, meaning he will find games for Nimmo.

Nimmo’s presence means Callaway can give needed days off to sluggers Yoenis Cespedes and Jay Bruce, both of whom are past the age of 30, and will need a day off from time to time.

The guy who will also be affected by the logjam in the outfield is Juan Lagares. While Lagares is hitting the ball well early in the season, he has never been the model of consistency. Sending him down is likely not an option, since the Mets are still on the hook for $15 million over two years on the albatross contract Sandy Alderson gave Lagares in 2015.

How Callaway juggles the lineup will be interesting. Callaway is going to give Conforto every opportunity to be the team’s leadoff man, starting Thursday against the Nationals. Clearly the Mets feel Conforto is well enough to handle the riggers of the leadoff after spending the past few weeks in extended Spring Training.

 In a lot of ways it makes sense. More teams are leading off with power guys, i.e the Cubs and Kyle Schwarber.  In the Mets case, they don’t have a lot of speed, and Conforto gives Callaway some versatility at the top of the order.

On days when Conforto and Nimmo are both in the lineup, don’t be shocked to see Nimmo leadoff with Conforto dropping down into the number two or three spot in the batting order, depending on who is playing that day.