With Andres Torres Out, Mets Recall Prospect Kirk Nieuwenhuis To Play Center
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Captain Kirk is en route to Queens.
With Andres Torres on the disabled list after straining his left calf in the Mets' season-opening win over the Braves on Thursday, New York will activate outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis prior to Saturday's contest against Atlanta.
The 24-year-old prospect, set to make his Major League debut on Saturday, will likely supplant Torres in center field.
The third round pick by the Mets out of Azusa Pacific University in 2008, Nieuwenhuis had a very productive first half of the season for Triple-A Buffalo in 2011 before tearing the labrum in his left shoulder, ending his season prematurely. He ended up batting .298 with six homers, 17 doubles and a .403 on-base percentage in 53 games for Buffalo.
Nieuwenhuis went just 2-for-10 in big-league camp this spring, as he suffered a right oblique injury midway through Spring Training.
Is this a blessing in disguise for New York? Is Captain Kirk the Mets' center fielder of the future? Sound off with your comments below...
