Mets: Lagares activated from disabled list, Conforto stays

Thursday afternoon the Mets announced that Juan Lagares has been activated from the disabled list.

The biggest question for most Mets fans was, would Michael Conforto stay on the roster when Lagares returns? Finally, the fans have their answer.

The Mets officially sent relief pitcher Paul Sewald back down to Las Vegas after his short stay with the big league club. Sewald appeared in two games for the Mets, allowing two runs on four hits in just 1.1 innings.

Along with the return of their Gold Glove winner, the Mets have added depth that they’ve been lacking on the bench. They now have an added outfielder, a real centerfielder, and right-handed handed batter.

With Yoenis Cespedes no longer an option in centerfield and Curtis Granderson past his prime, Lagares should see plenty of time in center. Conforto has managed to do a good job in centerfield in a couple of games this year, but he’s a natural corner-outfielder.

Also, three of the four outfielders the Mets were using were all left-handed hitters. Lagares now provides another right-handed option.

Lagares had a subpar spring as he was only 8-for-42 at the plate. His bat hasn’t truly been a big thing the Mets have needed, it’s more about the glove that he brings to the outfield. Last season, Lagares hit just .239 in 79 games.

Lagares returning brings another interesting question for the Mets. At first, it was who will go down when he returns. Now, the question is who will go down when Jeurys Familia comes back in one week.

The Mets just lost a bullpen arm, so could they let a position player go down?

The bullpen currently has three left-handed arms, so perhaps Josh Edgin or Josh Smoker could be demoted. Rafael Montero hasn’t had a terrific start to the season, so with the addition of the right-handed Familia, possibly Montero is sent down.

The infielders aren’t incredibly deep, especially with Reyes’ terrible start. Could one of the five outfielders, Conforto, be headed down?

It’s something no Mets fan wants to hear. Conforto has had a very good start to 2017. The fact that he has remained on the roster while Lagares has returned, says something.

I would be surprised to see them hang on to Conforto for just one week. If they didn’t see him long-term, he most likely would’ve been sent down today.

Next: Wheeler bounces back

Fans will be happy to know that Conforto is here for now. However, when Jeurys Familia returns in one week, who will be the one to go now that the bullpen has one less pitcher?