After scare, Cespedes fine to play in postseason for New York Mets

The New York Mets avoided a serious scare on Wednesday night, as X-rays on Yoenis Cespedes‘ finger came back negative. The outfielder exited Wednesday night’s game against the Phillies after being hit in the left hand by a pitch, though he ultimately walked away with just a bruise.

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Manager Terry Collins slowed the heartbeats of Mets fans everywhere after the game, saying Cespedes told him that he felt he could play Thursday. Collins kept Cespedes out of the lineup, however, and it sounds like he’ll continue to do so down the stretch.

The incident could very well push the Mets into sitting their key regulars for the remainder of the regular season as well, as the injury last night led to three more batters getting beaned (one from New York, two from Philadelphia). The Mets already have the National League East division title locked up, so their final three-game series with the Washington Nationals doesn’t hold any real implications outside of bragging rights. New York doesn’t have the roster depth of some other postseason clubs, and the Nationals are playing angry right now, so it’d be wise for Collins to keep his stars out of the potential line of fire as they prepare for their Divisional Series.

Wilmer Flores and Steven Matz also had news on the injury front Wednesday, as Flores was also removed from the game against Philadelphia with back stiffness. Matz was scratched from his final regular season start due to his own back tightness as well.

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