Mets’ Buck Showalter holds out Brandon Nimmo: ‘don’t want to take any chances’

Mets’ Buck Showalter holds out Brandon Nimmo: ‘don’t want to take any chances’

OAKLAND, Calif. — Brandon Nimmo wanted to play Saturday, but wasn’t given the option by Mets brass.

The Mets outfielder was on the bench for his team’s 10-4 loss to the Athletics after returning a day earlier from left quad tightness. The fact the Mets were playing a day game following a night game factored into the decision.

Nimmo is expected to rejoin the lineup Sunday.

“I just don’t want to take any chances,” manager Buck Showalter said before the game. “When they say they feel good or pretty good I want to keep them that way. With this short turnaround I thought it was prudent. … If we do this today by Tuesday it should be behind us. That got my attention.”

Nimmo went 2-for-4 with two RBIs on Friday. He departed the game Wednesday in Milwaukee after experiencing tightness in the quad while stealing second base.

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Showalter said it was important to get Chris Bassitt to 90 pitches on Friday because the right-hander had received an extra day of rest since his previous appearance and will receive additional days off before his next start. Bassitt allowed two earned runs over eight innings in beating the Athletics.

If Bassitt takes his normal turn in the rotation, he would pitch Friday in Atlanta on six days’ rest. But the Mets have the flexibility of inserting Jacob deGrom in that spot ahead of him. Such a switch would leave deGrom available to pitch the following Wednesday in the season-finale against the Nationals, if that game holds significance.

“This time of year I don’t think pitchers get as far out of whack with long layoffs because you are so deep into the season,” Showalter said. “But it depends on who the pitcher is, some guys are different. That is why you are constantly having conversations.”


Starling Marte planned for a return to New York ahead of the team so he can undergo imaging on his fractured right middle finger Sunday. He is approaching three weeks since sustaining the injury on a hit by pitch. Marte has not resumed baseball activities.

Carlos Carrasco and Taijuan Walker, who are scheduled to pitch Tuesday and Wednesday against the Marlins, were also planning for a return to New York ahead of the team.