Mets: Juan Lagares feeling good, possibly ready for Opening Day

Mar 4, 2017; West Palm Beach, FL, USA; New York Mets center fielder Juan Lagares (12) at bat against the Houston Astros during a spring training game at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; West Palm Beach, FL, USA; New York Mets center fielder Juan Lagares (12) at bat against the Houston Astros during a spring training game at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Mets have had a couple of injuries during camp this spring, but at least one of them seems to be getting better as this week wraps up.

After suffering a left oblique injury over the weekend, Mets outfielder Juan Lagares hopes to be ready to be on the Mets’ Opening Day roster. He spoke to reporters early on Wednesday, and gave us some much needed good news about his leg.

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“Right now,” Lagares told MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo, “I feel good.”

Lagares has reportedly been putting his legs to the test at the Mets complex in Port St. Lucie. According to DiComo, he’s been running at full-speed, and is expected to start swinging a bat on Thursday.

The Mets have a scheduled intrasquad game that day, and per manager Terry Collins, if Lagares is feeling up for it, he may make an appearance in it.

The Lagares situation will surely give the Mets pause. They don’t want to rush him back and have him possibly re-injure his oblique, but at the same time, he is their best defensive outfielder. Should he be able to play, it will likely mean Ty Kelly has to pack his bags and head to Las Vegas instead of New York.

The Mets have high hopes for Lagares. He hasn’t been able to get consistent playing time in the last couple of years. Whether he was injured, or was simply unable to hit his way into the lineup, Lagares hasn’t been able to recapture that bit of magic he showed in 2014 — his Gold Glove year.

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Going into this season, the Amazin’s are hoping Lagares could make some starts against left-handed pitching. With left-handed hitters Curtis Granderson, Jay Bruce, and Michael Conforto, having Lagares be able to actually perform against southpaws would be absolutely huge for the club. Hopefully a better than thought outcome after this injury is a good sign of things to come for Juan.