New York Mets Injury Updates: Miguel Batista

Miguel Batista took the start for the New York Mets against the Toronto Blue Jays, in a game that ended up being a 2-0 loss for the Mets at the hands of a complete game shutout for Jays starter Brandon Morrow. In that game, Batista got the start but only lasted two innings due to stiffness in his lower back. Batista was sharp in those two scoreless innings of action and allowed just one hit, one walk, and struck out two.

The 41-year-old veteran right-hander could be headed to the disabled list as a result, and he is currently listed by the Mets as day-to-day. Chris Schwinden will be in Toronto today and will be activated if Batista is placed on the DL.

David Wright has been suffering from the flu and told manager Terry Collins that he wants to return to the line-up today. It should be noted that the top hitter in 2012 was worse on Saturday than on Friday. We’ll see if Collins allows his star to play, or if he gives him another day off. Yesterday’s day off was due to a scheduled day off for Wright, but a day off for the 3B today wouldn’t be “scheduled”. It seems like Wright is feeling better, but he definitely isn’t feeling “well”.

Shortstop Ruben Tejada could start his rehab assignment tomorrow, which is good news for the team. The 22-year-old was once thought to be at least a week away from returning, but he will likely return in a week. Even if Tejada doesn’t start his first minor league rehab game tomorrow, it will only take a few minor league games for him to get back on track after a quad injury.

Ruben Tejada has been great this year in 117 plate appearances with solid defense, a 114 wRC+, and a .362 OBP. He has been worth 0.9 WAR, which is half of what he was worth last season (376 plate appearances). He put himself on the map last season with a .360 OBP and exactly average offense, and his pre-season ZiPS projection moved from being exactly a league-average player to nearly 3 WAR. He put himself on the map as an average middle infielder last season, and his early start is showing that he can be a solid everyday shortstop going forward.

Follow Joe Soriano on Twitter here. Check out Rising Apple for everything about the New York Mets.