PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. _ Michael Conforto is "most likely" going to make the Mets' roster as an outfielder off the bench if Juan Lagares isn't ready for Opening Day, a source said on Sunday.
As spring training comes to a close, several players with experience in center field on other teams are expected to become available. But the source added that the Mets' plan for now is to stay in house.
That further opens the door for Conforto, whose limited experience in center field suddenly makes him the Mets' only option to back up Curtis Granderson. Conforto had been ticketed for Triple-A Las Vegas, with the Mets prioritizing everyday playing time.
Even if Lagares' strained left oblique isn't healed in time for Opening Day, Conforto wouldn't play every day for the Mets. But with Lagares down, and Brandon Nimmo still sidelined with a hamstring strain, Conforto is the only player on the 40-man roster with experience in center.
Of course, that experience is limited to only six big-league games. But Conforto has played center field this spring, and he geared his offseason workouts partly to prepare for the position in case there was an opening in the crowded outfield.
Lagares is set to be examined by doctors on Monday, when he could also undergo an MRI. But he reported improvement one day after feeling tightness in his oblique while running the bases.
"It's way better than yesterday," said Lagares, who is not doing baseball activities.
Lagares suffered an injury to his right intercostal muscle during the 2014 season. It cost him about three weeks, though he doesn't think this injury is nearly as bad.
