WASHINGTON _ Yoenis Cespedes hobbled off the field in the first inning of Friday's 4-2 win against the Nationals with a strained right hamstring, making him just the latest casualty in a season that has been torpedoed by an avalanche of health woes.
The injury, which may end Cespedes' season, overshadowed another brilliant outing by Jacob deGrom. Facing a Nationals lineup watered-down by injury issues of its own, the dominant Mets right-hander allowed one run and five hits in 7 2/3 innings, finishing with 10 strikeouts.
It was enough to vault deGrom (14-7) into some hallowed territory. By reaching 201 strikeouts for the season. he became only the fourth Met in franchise history to have multiple 200 strikeout seasons. He joined David Cone, Dwight Gooden and Tom Seaver.
But deGrom's victory came against the backdrop of another potential season-ending injury, this time to the 31-year-old Cespedes, who has a long history of leg problems.
Cespedes was on second base when rookie Dominic Smith hit a grounder up the middle that struck second base umpire Andy Fletcher. By rule, it was a dead ball, entitling the runners to move up one base. But the play was behind Cespedes, who bolted on contact and ran hard in an attempt to score.
As he approached third base, Cespedes pulled up before hobbling home. Manager Terry Collins and trainer Ray Ramirez emerged from the dugout to check on Cespedes, who was doubled over in pain. He walked off the field under his own power, though he looked to have trouble putting weight on his right leg.
It was yet another troubling sight for the Mets, who earlier in the day officially placed Michael Conforto on the disabled list. On Thursday, the outfielder dislocated his left (non-throwing) shoulder and tore his capsule on a routine swing and miss.
Cespedes signed a four-year, $110 million deal in the offseason. He had already missed six weeks this season with a left hamstring strain and a right quad injury that he reaggravated during his minor league rehab. Upon his return in June, Cespedes hoped that a new pregame routine and an emphasis on staying hydrated might keep him healthy. But those measures appear to have failed.
Cespedes began play hitting .292 with 17 homers and 42 RBIs for the Mets, who have endured a brutal week on the injury front.
Lefty Steven Matz went for season-ending elbow surgery on Wednesday and Conforto may not be far behind. On Thursday, the Mets announced that Zack Wheeler would be shut down. He had been on the DL since July 23 with a stress injury in his right shoulder.
