Duda To Have Hamstring Checked
ATLANTA (AP) — Mets right fielder Lucas Duda will have his left hamstring examined by a doctor in New York on Monday, Mets manager Terry Collins said.
Duda was held out of the lineup for the second straight game against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday.
"We'll find out tomorrow how bad it is," Collins said. "He's been playing with it. It's been bothering him a little bit."
Duda is hitting .246 with 12 homers and 48 RBIs, but his average is just .198 over his last 25 games.
Duda struck out in a pinch-hitting appearance against Craig Kimbrel to end the Mets' 8-7 loss Saturday. He said the hamstring has bothered him for the last two weeks.
Regardless of the injury, Collins is concerned that Duda has gotten away from a fundamental approach to hitting.
"He's just trying to do what everyone expects him to do, and that's hit the ball out of the ballpark," Collins said. "I told him the other day, 'Just be a good hitter. You're a good hitter. Be a good hitter. Stay who you are.' I always tell every young player I've ever had, 'Whatever got you to (the big leagues) will keep you there.'"
Collins added that the Mets are hoping for left fielder Jason Bay, who's been sidelined with concussion symptoms since June 15, to return to the lineup in a couple of days.
He planned to speak with Bay after his rehab appearance for Triple-A Buffalo at Pawtucket on Sunday. Bay went 1 for 4 with walk and one run scored Saturday.
Collins indicated that Bay will play for Buffalo at home Monday and could be activated from the disabled list before Tuesday's game at Washington.
"He needs at-bats," Collins said. "This is about at-bats. I'm not worried about fatigue factor. He's been out three weeks. He's well-rested."
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