NEW YORK _ The Mets placed outfielder Michael Conforto on the 10-day disabled list Saturday, and he may not play again before the first half of the season concludes.
Conforto has a left hand contusion that he hurt while swinging, and the Mets finally sidelined him six days after he suffered the injury. His disabled list stint is retroactive to June 28, which would allow him to return only for the final game of the first half.
Zack Wheeler was activated in Conforto's spot, and will start against the Phillies.
Conforto suffered the contusion last Sunday when he was hit by a pitch from Giants lefty Matt Moore. He did not play in the following four games since he could not swing without any pain. Multiple x-rays revealed there is no broken bone, but the pain has lingered.
The Mets can only backdate the stint to June 28 since the new 10-day disabled list only allows for the stints to be backdated three days. While the Mets can bring him back for the final game of the first half, it would make more sense to give him extra time.
Conforto is having an All-Star caliber first half, hitting .285 with a .953 OPS while contributing 14 homers and 41 RBIs. He is one of three Mets candidates for the All-Star game along with right outfielder Jay Bruce and starting pitcher Jacob deGrom.
His injury leaves the team with a four-man bench and a four-man outfield.
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