Harrison Bader remained out of the starting lineup Friday due to a mild right ankle injury, but the team’s starting center fielder doesn’t expect to be out much longer.
Bader suffered the injury in the first game of the Subway Series against the Yankees when he was picked off while trying to steal third base Tuesday.
An MRI exam showed no structural damage and a stint on the injured list is not something that has been discussed.
“I just slipped on the dirt a little bit on the base-stealing attempt when I got picked off, kind of jolted the capsule a little bit,” Bader said. “I put myself in a position that’s just a little challenging the past couple of days to be myself for this team. Just working through it, everything feels great.”
The 30-year-old Bader, a Bronxville native, has been a strong offseason pick-up.
He has played a sterling center field and has hit better than expected, batting .263 with a .703 OPS, eight home runs and 36 RBIs.
Tyrone Taylor, who has started the past three games in center in place of Bader, was 1-for-4 on Friday.
During this extended hot stretch, the Mets have become particularly tough to beat at home.
They are 15-3 in their last 18 games at Citi Field and are over .500 at home at 28-26.
Francisco Lindor had his 10-game hitting streak broken Friday night when he went 0-for-4.
During his 10-game streak, Lindor batted .359 (14-for-39) with six home runs, 14 RBIs, and an .846 slugging percentage.
The Mets reportedly traded reliever Cole Sulser to the Rays for cash considerations shortly before the first pitch.
Sulser, 34, was designated for assignment Monday. He appeared in four games for the Mets this year.
