Mets news: Lucas Duda out of lineup due to stiff knee

Lucas Duda is not in Monday’s lineup due to stiffness in his right knee, the result of being hit by a pitch on Sunday against the Marlins.

Duda, who is not going for an MRI and said he would be available to pinch hit, noted that he was taking the day off as a precaution and that he expects to be back in the lineup on Tuesday.

Duda walked to first base and played the remainder of the game after being hit on Sunday.

Michael Cuddyer started in Duda’s place on first base on Monday, with Darrell Ceciliani in the outfield.

Thoughts:

The focus here is twofold.

First, and most importantly, with both David Wright and Travis d’Arnaud out of the lineup, the Mets simply can’t afford to lose Duda for any length of time. Duda seems to have no concern about the knee, and that lack of concern is bolstered by the fact that he isn’t being sent for an MRI.

Second, the reason Duda missed Monday’s game is because the Marlins continue to pitch him inside without the Mets answering back appropriately. Pitching inside is part of the game, but the opposing team has to pay for it if their pitcher can’t do it without continuously drilling the opposition — by mistake or otherwise. It was the Marlins who knocked Travis d’Arnaud out after hitting him in the hand. Enough is enough.

I’d imagine the Mets have this in the back of their mind, and expect someone on Miami to get hit the next time these two teams play.