Andres Torres to DL; Mets Expected to Call Up Kirk Nieuwenhuis

The New York Mets have announced that center fielder Andres Torres sustained a strained left calf during the seventh inning of yesterday’s contest against the Atlanta Braves.  Torres is expected to be placed on the Mets disabled list, with rookie Kirk Nieuwenhuis being named the favorite to fill in for New York’s injured center fielder.

With one out in the seventh, Braves shortstop Tyler Pastornicky sent a fly ball to right center field.  Torres appeared to take a bad angle to the ball and let it fall just beyond him.  As he chased the ball toward the wall in right-center, Torres pulled up and ultimately ended his pursuit.

Torres was noticeably frustrated following the re-straining of his left calf.  He was met by New York’s training staff on the field but was able to exit under his own power.  Scott Hairston replaced Torres in center.

This has been a lingering issue for Torres, as a similar strain in his left calf sidelined him for two weeks this spring.  Torres was able to return to action this Monday, and the Mets had hoped the injury was behind him.

Nieuwenhuis’s next major league appearance will be his first.  The 24-year-old was taken by the Mets in the third round of the 2008 MLB Draft.  Nieuwenhuis, who’s spent the last three seasons playing for the Mets Double- and Triple-A affiliates, sports a career minor league line of .280/.354/.464.

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