Cameron Maybin can’t buy a hit, but his spot in the Mets lineup probably isn’t in jeopardy.
The veteran outfielder extended his futility to 0-for-26 since arriving to the club in a trade with the Cubs last week by going hitless in five at-bats Thursday in the Mets’ doubleheader sweep of the Rockies. It tied the longest drought in franchise history for a player to start his Mets career (Charley Smith was hitless in 26 at-bats after arriving to the team in 1964).
“Right now [Maybin] is giving us the center field, and you want to play defense,” manager Luis Rojas said after the Mets won 1-0 and 4-2 at Citi Field. “We are still waiting for him to click and get better at-bats.”
Maybin nearly broke the drought in the sixth inning of Game 2, when his hard grounder to third base deflected off Ryan McMahon. But shortstop Brendan Rodgers grabbed the deflection and fired home to get the out, resulting in a fielder’s choice.
If Maybin sits, the Mets’ options become shifting a corner outfielder, Billy McKinney or Khalil Lee, to center field.
“[Maybin] took better swings today,” Rojas said. “I think it’s big for us to have him play center and we can have Billy McKinney play one of the corners. Defense is going to be a difference-maker for us, the way guys are throwing the ball.”
Taijuan Walker is expected to be removed from the injured list to start Friday’s series opener against the Braves at Citi Field. The right-hander threw on Thursday as a final test to convince team officials he was ready. Walker departed his start against the Braves on May 17 with left-side tightness and was replaced in the rotation over the weekend by Jordan Yamamoto, who has since been placed on the 60-day IL with right shoulder soreness.
Miguel Castro and Trevor May were not options for the seventh inning in Game 2, according to Rojas, because both relievers were receiving extra rest following the Wednesday rainout. Rojas added there wasn’t an injury concern for either pitcher. Robert Gsellman and Jacob Barnes combined to get the final three outs after Jeurys Familia pitched a scoreless sixth inning.
J.D. Davis underwent a second MRI exam on his left hand in recent days that showed inflammation in the joint between his third and fourth metatarsals. He expects to resume taking swings Saturday or Sunday and said he’s unsure if he’ll need a return to Triple-A Syracuse, where he had been rehabbing last week.
“I wish I could be out there right now,” said Davis, who has been on the injured list since May 3. “I’m dying of boredom and not being able to produce for my guys, for my team. It definitely is frustrating. The only thing you can do is rest and give it time.”
