NEW YORK _ Mets infielder Wilmer Flores will not play again this year due to the broken nose he suffered Saturday against the Astros.
Flores had hoped to play again this year, but a doctor told him Thursday it would be best to be cautious and avoid possibly worsening the injury.
"As much as I wanted to finish strong this season, we didn't want to put myself in danger out there," Flores said before the Mets opened a four-game set against the Reds. "I want to be out there but if it got worse, what could possibly happen?"
Flores suffered the injury when he fouled off a pitch and it hit him in the face. He was taken to the hospital during the game.
The infielder is still having issues breathing, and understands the decision to end his season early. Flores added he couldn't begin baseball activities for at least two weeks.
Flores had his nose reset during his doctor appointment Thursday.
"It's the right decision," Flores said.
The injury ends what was Flores' best season of his young career with the righty hitting .271 with a career-best 18 homers and a career-high .795 OPS.
"I could have done better on a lot of things, offensively and defensively," Flores said. "I was looking to have a very strong September but this happened. Look forward to 2018."
The Mets will have to decide this offseason whether they can count on Flores to start at second base or third base, or use him in a utility role again. While Flores' bat warrants a spot in the lineup, he has not distinguished himself as a defender.
Flores said he would be OK serving as a utility player again. He played in 110 games this year, and was used at first base, second base and third base.
Mets manager Terry Collins likes how Flores handles second base, and added that Flores did a strong job at first base this year.
"When you're playing multiple positions you're not going to be really good at one," Flores said. "If you're going to play one position, you really focus on that and you're going to be a lot better at that position. I don't really have a preference, I just want to be out there."
