Mets news: Leathersich up, Carlyle likely headed to DL

UPDATE, 6:15 PM:

Jack Leathersich is on his way to join the Mets in Chicago, and will be activated prior to Thursday’s game, the team announced.

Leathersich is expected to replace Carlyle, who appears headed for the 15-day disabled list.

Buddy Carlyle, who exited Monday night’s game early due to lower-back discomfort, may be headed for the disabled list.

Carlyle completed the seventh inning on Monday, but said after the game that his back tightened up while covering first base, later noting that he’s also dealing with a hamstring issue that might have contributed to the back discomfort.

According to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York, Carlyle had to be helped down the dugout steps after leaving Monday’s game.

Carlyle was unavailable on Tuesday, and Mets manager Terry Collins said that a determination about a potential disabled list stint would be made on Wednesday.

Thoughts:

With Carlos Torres overworked and Alex Torres doing his best Rick Ankiel circa 2000 impression, the Mets can’t afford to go short in the bullpen for another day. If Carlyle is ready to come back on Wednesday, great. If not, he needs to be placed on the disabled list, retroactive to Tuesday.

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If Carlyle does land on the disabled list, the Mets have a number of options to replace him. However, because of the way the 40-man roster is currently constituted, the call would likely go to LHP Jack Leathersich. The club could also turn to LHP Dario Alvarez – also on the 40-man roster – but Leathersich deserves the spot.

If the Mets decide to go with someone who isn’t on the 40-man roster, they would likely tab Zack Thornton. Doing so would require removing someone from the 40-man roster, which the Mets can do by transferring Jerry Blevins to the 60-day disabled list.

Still, it seems probable that Leathersich would get the chance. And if he does, let’s hope that Terry Collins utilizes him properly this time. In his first stint with the Mets, Leathersich – who has reverse platoon splits – was used as a LOOGY in both of his appearances.